Abdulsalami Abubakar
| General Abdulsalami A. Abubakar | |
|---|---|
 Abubakar at the UN on 24 September 1998 | |
| 11th Head of State of Nigeria | |
|
In office 9 June 1998 – 29 May 1999 | |
| Vice President | Vice-Adm. Mike Akhigbe as Chief of General Staff |
| Preceded by | Sani Abacha |
| Succeeded by | Olusegun Obasanjo |
| Chief of Defence Staff | |
|
In office 1997–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Oladipo Diya |
| Succeeded by | Al-Amin Daggash |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
13 June 1942 Minna, Niger State |
| Political party | none (military) |
| Spouse(s) | Fati Lami Abubakar |
| Children | six |
| Alma mater | Technical Institute, Kaduna |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Religion | Islam |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Nigeria |
| Service/branch |
 Nigerian Air ForceNigerian Army |
| Years of service |
1963–1967 (Air Force) 1967-1999 (Army) |
| Rank | General |
Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar 
pronunciation ahb-doo-sah-LAM-ee ah-boo-BAH-kahr (born June 13, 1942) 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.
Early life and military career
Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar hails from the Hausa ethnic group and was born on 13 June 1942 in Minna, Niger State. He was educated at Native Authority Primary School in that city, the Provincial Secondary School in Bida, and finally the Technical Institute, Kaduna.[1] After this, he joined the military. Abubakar led Nigeria's contingent in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and eventually rose to the role of Chief of Defence Staff.[1] His wife's name is Fati and they have six children.[2]
Presidency
Nigeria had been ruled by military leaders since Muhammadu Buhari seized power from Shehu Shagari in a 1983 coup.[3] 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,[2] Abubakar was sworn in as president on 9 June 1998 after the unexpected death of Abacha. He declared a weeklong period of national mourning.[1]
A few days after assuming office, Abubakar promised to hold elections within a year and transfer power to an elected president.[3] He established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), appointing former Supreme Court Justice Ephraim Akpata as chairman.[4] 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.[5]
Surprising some critics of the country's military,[2] 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.[3]
Post presidency
Following his short rule Abubakar received multiple honours, including the Rainbow/Push Coalition Peace Prize, the Economic Community of West African States International Gold Medal, and the Star Award of Ghana.[2] In 2000, former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan appointed him to try to shore up the UN Mission (MONUC) to the Congo-Kinshasa.[6]
However, Abubakar's legacy is mixed. A lecture circuit at Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois, United States featuring him encountered opposition, because he had supported Abacha's government.[7] (Abacha's administration was notorious for its human rights abuses).[7][8] He was also sued in that country by other Nigerians who claimed he was responsible for the death of 1993 president-elect Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who died in custody after being prevented by the military from taking office, and for the violation of the rights of others during his administration.[9]
Abubakar helped in the Liberian peace movement by presiding over the 2003 peace talks between Charles Taylor and the opposing rebels. This is seen in the movie: "Pray the Devil Back to Hell".
Books by Abubakar
- Abubakar, Abdulsalami. (1998) Nigeria: A new beginning. Publisher: Federal Ministry of Information and Culture. ASIN: B0006FDZZG
See also
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Abdulsalami Abubakar. |
References
- 1 2 3 "Successor to General Sani Abacha appointed". IFEX Alerts. International Freedom of Expression Exchange. 9 June 1998. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- 1 2 3 4 "Abdulsalami Abubakar". Online Nigeria. Devace Nigeria. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- 1 2 3 "Nigeria". The World Factbook Online. Central Intelligence Agency. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2 May 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2007.
- ↑ "INEC History". Independent National Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ↑ "OBSERVING THE 1998–99 NIGERIA ELECTIONS" (PDF). Carter Center, NDI. Summer 1999. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ↑ Crossette, Barbara (19 August 2000). "As Peace Mission Deteriorates, U.N. Sends an Envoy to Congo". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). p. A7. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- 1 2 Akande, Laolu. "NCP, North America, protests Abdulsalami Lecture Series". National Conscience Party. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- ↑ "Interview with Abubakar". Online News Hour. MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. 21 October 1998. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
- ↑ Aboyade, Funke. "'Conflicting Court Orders in Abdulsalami Case Avoidable'". Thisday Online. Leaders & Company Limited. Archived from the original on 15 February 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2007.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sani Abacha |
Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria 1998–1999 |
Succeeded by Olusegun Obasanjo as President of Nigeria |
| Preceded by Sani Abacha |
Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States 1998–1999 |
Succeeded by Gnassingbé Eyadéma |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||
|