Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo says former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar was working to secure the release of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola before Abiola died while in detention. The accounts, reported by multiple outlets, describe Obasanjo discussing Abubakar’s efforts during a public event marking Abubakar’s 84th birthday, where Obasanjo also presents or participates in the launch of books honouring Abubakar’s legacy.
According to Obasanjo, Abubakar tried to facilitate Abiola’s freedom ahead of Abiola’s sudden death in custody, referencing that Abiola was the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The reports also include a brief recollection by Obasanjo about receiving a telephone message indicating that “our man is dead,” linking it to the unexpected circumstances surrounding Abiola’s death.
Across the sources, the core point remains that Obasanjo attributes an active attempt at securing Abiola’s release to Abubakar in the period leading up to Abiola’s death in detention, while the specific mechanisms or timelines of the effort are not detailed in the reports.
