Abdulsalami Abubakar 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.
Background
Abdulsalami Abubakar was born on 13 June 1942 in Minna, Niger State to the family of Alhaji Abubakar. He hails from the Hausa ethnic group. He had had the dream of becoming a military man since he was child. He was a brave child who liked to dare the unthinkable. He received his primary education in his native town before moving out to continue his studies.
Education
Abdulsalami Abubakar had his primary education at Native Authority Primary School in Minna. Thereafter, He proceeded to the Provincial Secondary School in Bida, and was there between 1957 and 1962. After his secondary education, with the zeal to further his education, he went for tertiary education at the Technical Institute, Kaduna. After rounding up, he enlisted first into the Airforce but quickly switched to the army.
Career
Abubakar joined the army in 1975 and received his formal military training in the United States. He was appointed commander of the 3rd Mechanized Brigade in Kano between 1969 and 1979. He also served as a Nigerian contingent to the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon between 1981 and 1982 after which he was promoted to colonel in August 1984. Later, he was appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, and became a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC).
From Enugu, he was moved to Kaduna, as GOC of the strategic One Mechanized Division. On November 17, 1993, he was appointed chief of Defense staff, the position he held until 1998 when he was appointment as the Head of State.
Nigeria had been ruled by military leaders since Muhammadu Buhari seized power from Shehu Shagari in a 1983 coup. 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, Abubakar was sworn in as president on 9 June 1998 after the unexpected death of Abacha. He declared a weeklong period of national mourning.
A few days after assuming office, Abubakar promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president. He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman. 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.
Surprising some critics of the country's military, 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.
He is best known for his criticism against religious leaders who get themselves involve in politics. He believes for a religous leader to maintain his integrity, there is need to stay out of politics because he sees it as dirty game.
Politics
His political views can be seen in his support for a democratic rule in Nigeria. He promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president. He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman. 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 he made effort to ensure that the elections were free and fair, there were widespread irregularities that drew criticism from foreign observers
Views
Quotations:
"The tone of campaigning in the last week has gone sour. There's been mudslinging and some uncalled for utterances."
"I want to believe that with the signing of this agreement today, Liberia will never be plunged into another spiral of violence in the quest for political power, or under the false pretense of liberating the people."
"One party is aggrieved and is seeking redress. I hope he will accept whatever result is obtained from the outcome of the investigation and he has agreed to that."
"In a way, this election is the rebirth of Liberia."
Personality
Despite being a military man, Abubakar his respected for his willingness to peacefully hand over power to democratic rule.
Physical Characteristics:
He is of average height, a little bit plumb, oval-shaped face, with grey beards around his chin.
Quotes from others about the person
Fayose: "heed to the wise counsel of the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar"
General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), says the quality of governance is a critical element in a sustainable peace building process.