Prominent leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Col. Tony Nyiam (retd.) and Chief Ayo Opadokun, have disputed claims by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), that members of the pro-democracy movement urged him to extend military rule in 1998.
The duo also challenged Abdulsalami’s assertion that the late Chief MKO Abiola, presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, was not poisoned before his death.
In his recently launched autobiography, Call of Duty, Abdulsalami stated that some NADECO leaders privately appealed to him to prolong the military transition after becoming convinced of his commitment to handing over power in 1999. He said the request was made a few months after he assumed office but was rejected by his administration.
The former military ruler also dismissed long-standing claims that Abiola was poisoned, citing findings from an international autopsy team which concluded that the businessman and politician died from complications related to hypertension and heart disease.
Reacting to the claims, Nyiam described Abdulsalami’s account as inaccurate, insisting that no recognised NADECO leader sought an extension of military rule.
According to him, the coalition’s objective was to secure a democratic transition anchored on a constitution produced by Nigerians through a national conference rather than the military-imposed 1999 Constitution.
Nyiam recalled that Abdulsalami had sent an emissary to meet NADECO leaders in exile, including President Bola Tinubu, who was then based in London. He said discussions at the meeting focused on ensuring a credible democratic transition and not prolonging military governance.
“There was nobody, to my knowledge, who asked Abdulsalami to extend military rule. We were all fighting to end military dictatorship, not sustain it,” Nyiam said.
He identified key NADECO figures at the time as the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd.), President Tinubu, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Prof. Wole Soyinka, noting that they could corroborate his account.
Nyiam further questioned Abdulsalami’s position on Abiola’s death, maintaining that he remained unconvinced by the former leader’s explanation.
“Chief MKO Abiola was prevented from governing by forces opposed to his mandate. I do not believe the full story has been told,” he said.
Also speaking, former NADECO General Secretary, Chief Ayo Opadokun, said Abdulsalami may have misunderstood the discussions held between his emissaries and NADECO members abroad.
Opadokun explained that NADECO leaders had advocated a transition process that would produce a people-oriented constitution before fresh elections were conducted.
According to him, the coalition proposed the formation of a government of national unity headed by Abiola rather than an extension of military rule.
“What was requested was a programme that would guarantee stability and democratic legitimacy, not a prolongation of military governance,” Opadokun said.
He added that reports from former NADECO leaders in exile suggested Abdulsalami may have misconstrued their recommendations as a call for an extension of military rule.
The remarks set the stage for renewed debate over the events surrounding Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule and the circumstances leading to Abiola’s death in 1998.
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