Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday jokingly said he and former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, may not be alive to attend General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s 100th birthday celebration.
Obasanjo made the remark in Abuja during an event at the Presidential Villa marking Abdulsalami’s 84th birthday and the public presentation of three books written in his honour, including his autobiography, Call of Duty.
Speaking in a light-hearted tone, the former president congratulated Abdulsalami and expressed optimism about his longevity.
“Congratulations. You will reach 90, and I will be there. You will reach 100. I and General Gowon will not be there,” he said, prompting laughter from guests at the event.
Obasanjo used the occasion to reflect on the contributions of past military leaders to Nigeria’s development, despite their shortcomings.
He said figures such as General Yakubu Gowon, the late General Murtala Muhammed, the late Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, and General Abdulsalami Abubakar played critical roles in shaping modern Nigeria.
“They are all not perfect human beings. They all made mistakes, but they all made contributions without which we would not have been able to have the Nigeria of today,” he said.
The former president clarified that he was specifically referring to military leaders, noting that he had firsthand experience of their roles in the country’s political history.
He described Abdulsalami as a key figure in Nigeria’s transition to democracy, recalling his role in stabilising the country after the death of General Sani Abacha in 1998.
According to him, Abdulsalami took decisive steps to restore order, including the release of political detainees, which also benefited him personally.
Obasanjo also recalled Abdulsalami’s efforts to secure the release of the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, noting that he was kept informed throughout the process.
He said Abdulsalami managed the aftermath of Abiola’s death with restraint and ensured a smooth transition to democratic rule in 1999.
Obasanjo added that Abdulsalami’s actions laid the foundation for Nigeria’s uninterrupted democratic governance over the past 27 years.
The event also featured the unveiling of Abdulsalami’s autobiography, Call of Duty, which documents his role in Nigeria’s return to civilian rule after years of military governance.
