Iliyasu Gadu
On June 9, 1998, fate intervened to make General Abdulsalami Abubakar the head of state after General Sani Abacha passed away unexpectedly.
Before that, Abdulsalami had endured difficult times under the hyper-paranoid Abacha, who had him under constant surveillance.
Abacha planned to sack Abdulsalami, along with other top military officers, to advance his scheme of transforming from a military ruler to a civilian president.
However, Abacha’s death brought Abdulsalami to power under trying circumstances.
Shortly after, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12 elections, also died mysteriously while in detention.
Despite these challenges, General Abdulsalami led the nation through a transition that returned Nigeria to civilian rule within a year in 1999.
Today’s democratic dispensation is largely a result of Abdulsalami’s steadfastness and commitment to Nigeria.
Had fate not intervened, Abacha might have succeeded in turning Nigeria into a dictatorship.
Many political elites had shamelessly supported Abacha’s plans, while others fled abroad, pretending to fight for democracy from a distance.
Abdulsalami, however, opened up the political space, allowing both those hiding in fear and those abroad to return and participate in the democratic process.
He braved numerous challenges to restore democracy, enabling political parties to compete in elections.
General Abdulsalami is a modest man, rarely discussing his role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy.
He hasn’t spoken about the personal and official pressures he faced while promising to restore civilian rule within a year.
He also resisted pressure to ban certain politicians from participating in the democratic process.
If he had given in, some of the current political figures would not be on the stage today.
Behind his calm demeanor lies a sharp mind that closely follows Nigeria’s political and social developments.
Recently, he expressed concern over the growing hardship in Nigeria during a meeting with the Niger state branch of the Campaign for Democracy.
He noted how the economic situation has made it difficult for Nigerians to afford basic needs, including food, transportation, and education.
Abdulsalami’s words echoed the sentiments of many other prominent Nigerians, including Iba Gani Adams, who also criticized President Tinubu’s harsh policies.
These statements reflect the grim reality under Tinubu’s administration.
I recently gave a senior civil servant five thousand naira, thinking it was too little, but he gratefully revealed it would feed his family for three days.
This is the harsh reality that General Abdulsalami was referring to in his comments.
The initial hope surrounding President Tinubu has faded, with many Nigerians no longer trusting his promises of economic reform.
His dismissive response to Abdulsalami and others who raised concerns about his policies only worsened the situation.
Tinubu’s claim that “there are no free bears anymore” rings hollow to Nigerians struggling under his leadership.
Only Tinubu, his family, and his loyalists seem to be benefiting, while the rest of the country suffers.
If someone as respected as General Abdulsalami, who rarely speaks out, has voiced his concerns, it is a clear sign that President Tinubu is losing his grip.
The wheels have fallen off Tinubu’s administration, and he is now adrift.
Across Nigeria, Tinubu has become a symbol of arrogance and insensitivity, living in luxury while the people struggle.
When statesmen like General Abdulsalami make such pointed remarks, Tinubu would be wise to listen.
This is the plain truth in Abdulsalami’s message.
