Abdulsalami Abubakar

General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar
Abubakar at the UN on 24 September 1998
11th Head of State of Nigeria
In office 9 June 1998 – 29 May 1999
Vice President	Vice-Adm. Mike Akhigbe as Chief of General Staff
Preceded by	Sani Abacha
Succeeded by	Olusegun Obasanjo
Chief of Defence Staff
In office 1997–1998
Preceded by	Oladipo Diya
Succeeded by	Al-Amin Daggash
Personal details
Born	13 June 1942 Minna, Niger State
Political party	none (military)
Spouse(s)	Fati Lami Abubakar
Children	six
Alma mater	Technical Institute, Kaduna
Occupation	Soldier
Religion	Islam
Military service
Allegiance	Nigeria
Service/branch	Nigerian Air Force Nigerian Army
Years of service	1963–1967 (Air Force) 1967-1999 (Army)
Rank	General

Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar  pronunciation  ahb-doo-sah-LAM-ee ah-boo-BAH-kahr (born June 13, 1942) is a retired Nigerian Army General who was military President of Nigeria from 9 June 1998 until 29 May 1999. He succeeded Sani Abacha upon Abacha's death. It was during Abubakar's leadership that Nigeria adopted its new constitution on 5 May 1999, which provided for multiparty elections. Abubakar transferred power to president-elect Olusegun Obasanjo on 29 May 1999.

Early life and military career

Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar hails from the Hausa ethnic group and was born on 13 June 1942 in Minna, Niger State. He was educated at Native Authority Primary School in that city, the Provincial Secondary School in Bida, and finally the Technical Institute, Kaduna.^[1] After this, he joined the military. Abubakar led Nigeria's contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and eventually rose to the role of Chief of Defence Staff.^[1] His wife's name is Fati and they have six children.^[2]

Presidency

Nigeria had been ruled by military leaders since Muhammadu Buhari seized power from Shehu Shagari in a 1983 coup.^[3] Although democratic elections had been held in 1993, they were annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. Reported to have had an initial reluctance to accepting the position,^[2] Abubakar was sworn in as president on 9 June 1998 after the unexpected death of Abacha. He declared a weeklong period of national mourning.^[1]

A few days after assuming office, Abubakar promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president.^[3] He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman.^[4] The INEC held a series of elections first for Local Government Areas in December 1998, then for State Assemblies and Governors, National Assemblies and finally for the President on 27 February 1999. Although efforts were made to ensure that the elections were free and fair, there were widespread irregularities that drew criticism from foreign observers.^[5]

Surprising some critics of the country's military,^[2] Abubakar kept his word and transferred power to elected president Obasanjo on 29 May 1999. During his administration Nigeria adopted a new constitution May 5, 1999, which went into effect when Olusegun Obasanjo became president.^[3]

Post presidency

Following his short rule Abubakar received multiple honours, including the Rainbow/Push Coalition Peace Prize, the Economic Community of West African States International Gold Medal, and the Star Award of Ghana.^[2] In 2000, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him to try to shore up the UN Mission (MONUC) to the Congo-Kinshasa.^[6]

However, Abubakar's legacy is mixed. A lecture circuit at Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, United States featuring him encountered opposition, because he had supported Abacha's government.^[7] (Abacha's administration was notorious for its human rights abuses).^[7][8] He was also sued in that country by other Nigerians who claimed he was responsible for the death of 1993 president-elect Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in custody after being prevented by the military from taking office, and for the violation of the rights of others during his administration.^[9]

Abubakar helped in the Liberian peace movement by presiding over the 2003 peace talks between Charles Taylor and the opposing rebels. This is seen in the movie: "Pray the Devil Back to Hell".

Books by Abubakar

• Abubakar, Abdulsalami. (1998) Nigeria: A new beginning. Publisher: Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. ASIN: B0006FDZZG

See also

• Nigerian Third Republic
• Nigerian Fourth Republic

References

1. "Successor to General Sani Abacha appointed". IFEX Alerts. International Freedom of Expression Exchange. 9 June 1998. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
2. "Abdulsalami Abubakar". Online Nigeria. Devace Nigeria. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
3. "Nigeria". The World Factbook Online. Central Intelligence Agency. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2007.
4. "INEC History". Independent National Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
5. "OBSERVING THE 1998–99 NIGERIA ELECTIONS" (PDF). Carter Center, NDI. Summer 1999. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
6. Crossette, Barbara (19 August 2000). "As Peace Mission Deteriorates, U.N. Sends an Envoy to Congo". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). p. A7. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
7. Akande, Laolu. "NCP, North America, protests Abdulsalami Lecture Series". National Conscience Party. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
8. "Interview with Abubakar". Online News Hour. MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. 21 October 1998. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
9. Aboyade, Funke. "'Conflicting Court Orders in Abdulsalami Case Avoidable'". Thisday Online. Leaders & Company Limited. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.

External links

• Abdulsalami Abubakar – Famous Nigerians and personalities – OnlineNigeria.com