Gen. Abubakar shut down pressure to extend 6-month transition programme – Ex-CSO

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Major General Abdulrasheed Aliyu (retd), Chief Security Officer, CSO, to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Saturday revealed that the former head of state rebuffed pressures from the military circle to extend his six-month transition programme.

Aliyu, who was chairman of the organising committee of the public presentation of three books in honour of Gen. Abubakar on the occasion of his 84th birthday, in his welcome address, described the former Head of State as a leader who was “ready to go to any extent, including against himself,” to ensure a peaceful transition to civilian rule.

The three books launched at the event were Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar; Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar; and Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Aliyu recounted an encounter from 1998, when he served as Gen. Abdulsalami’s chief security officer after the retired general took over as Head of State.

“When he rolled out his six‑month transition programme, our participants in the military were divided into three groups,” he said.

“One group believed that, yes, this time they have accepted as proposed. Another group felt that it is okay, but can we have an extension of five to six months? The third group felt the civilians are not ready to take over the country.”

Aliyu said he approached Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar with the concerns. “Sir, those are the institutions for me extending six months so that we can have the small group by our side,” he recalled.

Gen. Abdulsalami looked at him and said: “It is my duty and my task to take decision on behalf of the country and what is good for the country and for the people. I’ve taken my decision. That’s what I will do.”

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