Abdulsalami Abubakar reveals politicians' duplicity during June 12 crisis and 1993 election
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in his autobiography 'Call of Duty,' disclosed that some politicians who publicly supported Chief MKO Abiola during the June 12 crisis were secretly working with the government. He also revealed that other politicians collected money from both Abiola and his opponent, Bashir Tofa, during the 1993 presidential election. Abubakar recounted Tofa's personal story of politicians requesting money for mobilization, assuring votes, and then being seen with Abiola's party chairman. Abubakar also shared a personal experience from the 1980s, witnessing politicians from warring factions of the Peoples Redemption Party privately socializing despite public animosity. He noted that this encounter, along with observations from the First Republic where politicians from different parties visited Premier Sir Ahmadu Bello, hardened his view of Nigeria's political class. He applied these lessons to the June 12 impasse, stating that ordinary Nigerians were unaware of the behind-the-scenes activities. Abubakar, who was Chief of Policy and Plans at Army Headquarters during the annulment of the June 12 elections, emphasized that Nigerians should not allow politicians to create divisions along ethnic and religious lines, as politicians often socialize privately despite public disagreements. He concluded that the masses are often pawns in the hands of politicians.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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Must ReadFormer Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar retd., in his autobiography 'Call of Duty,' disclosed that some politicians publicly supporting Chief MKO Abiola during the June 12 crisis were secretly collaborating with the government. He also revealed that others accepted funds from both Abiola's campaign and his opponent, the late Bashir Tofa, during the 1993 presidential election. Abubakar described Nigerian politicians as a distinct group who publicly fuel ethnic and religious divisions while privately socializing. He recounted an anecdote from Tofa, who shared how politicians requested money for mobilization, promising votes, only for Tofa to later find the same individuals with Abiola's party chairman. Abubakar also shared a personal experience from the 1980s, witnessing politicians from warring factions of the Peoples Redemption Party PRP privately interacting despite public animosity. He noted that this duplicity was systematic, observing a similar dynamic during the June 12 crisis where some perceived Abiola supporters were actually aligned with the government. Abdulsalami, who was Chief of Policy and Plans at Army Headquarters during the annulment, emphasized that Nigerians should not allow politicians to create divisions, as politicians often reconcile privately despite public disagreements.