Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo says former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar actively worked to secure the release of June 12, 1993 election winner Moshood Kashimawo (MKO) Abiola before Abiola died in detention. Multiple outlets report that Obasanjo made the remarks on Saturday during a public presentation of three books honoring Abubakar’s 84th birthday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to Obasanjo, Abubakar kept him informed regularly about efforts to free Abiola and also communicated messages to Abiola’s family. Obasanjo further says Abubakar’s actions included releasing political prisoners after the death of General Sani Abacha and managing confusion that followed Abacha’s passing. Obasanjo adds that Abubakar informed him by telephone after Abiola’s death, and he recounts that Abiola’s son Kola was already in Abuja to pick up his father when the unexpected development occurred. The outlets present these points as Obasanjo’s account of Abubakar’s involvement and the timeline leading up to Abiola’s death in detention.