by Dolapo Adelana
A former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), on Friday refused to comment on allegations made by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, that he (Abubakar) knew about the death of the winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, The Punch reports.
The former Head of State ignored questions from journalists about the allegations made by Bamaiyi in his book, “Vindication of a General.”
Abubakar, who was the Chairman of the occasion at the book launch of Olusegun Adeniyi’s ‘Against the Run of Play’ in Lagos, evaded questions from reporters.
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Bamaiyi had in his book said Abiola could not have died of natural causes on July 7, 1998, because he had been healthy when they met.
The former Army Chief among other allegations said Abubakar knew the cause of Abiola’s death, urging the former Head of State to tell Nigerians the truth.
He said, “I believe only Gen. Abubakar and those he used to handle Abiola’s death can tell Nigerians how Chief M.K.O. Abiola died. Abiola could not have died the way he reportedly died.”
However, when asked to defend the allegations, Abubakar said, “I have no comments,” walking out on the journalists.
Speaking on the Adeniyi’s book, Abubakar said it was a “good book”.
He said, “The book is coming at the right time to further deepen our understanding of what happened in Nigeria during the March 2015 general elections which many believe, and quite rightly too, as one of the most defining moments of our political history.”
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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