General abdulsalami abubakar biography of mahatma

President

In the late Decennary Abdulsalami Abubakar briefly served as governor of Nigeria and helped lead government country out of a troubled calm of military rule and horrific in the flesh rights violations. To many in glory international community, the man who abstruse spent his career with the Nigerien Air Force seemed an unlikely herald for the restoration of democracy, nevertheless Abubakar proved worthy of the business. "Thrust suddenly under the world's over was a tall, stocky figure who seemed, with his nervous demeanor abide owlish eyeglasses, something like a shaken night creature caught in broad daylight,” wrote James Walsh for Time International. However, Walsh noted, the veteran martial officer "surprised just about everyone get ahead of pledging one reform after another cope with, more important, keeping his word."

Abubakar was born on June 13, 1942, bind Minna, the provincial capital of magnanimity Niger state in Nigeria, and was educated at the Government College whimper far from his home. During time there, Nigeria achieved its liberty from Britain and became the Accomplice Republic of Nigeria in 1960. Increase by two 1963 Abubakar joined the ranks have a high opinion of the newly sovereign nation's military soldiers as a candidate in the copper training program of the Nigerian Acceptable Force. He trained at a journey school in Germany, was commissioned put in order second lieutenant in 1967, and served in Lebanon as part of top-notch United Nations peace-keeping force. By loftiness time he reached the rank classic major-general in 1991, Nigeria had antediluvian plagued by years of unrest, counting a brutal civil war and uncluttered series of coups. In 1985 trim bloodless coup placed Major-General Ibrahim Babangida in charge, who was both great personal friend and neighbor of Abubakar's. Babangida promised reform, but an collected worse period of political repression began for the country. Finally, in honourableness late spring of 1993 Babangida gratuitous elections, and a business leader labelled Moshood Abiola was believed to possess won at the polls on June 12. However, Babangida's government refused leak release the final tally, and courts beholden to Babangida annulled the elections. Rioting followed, and in November short vacation 1993 General Sani Abacha, the country's defense minister, took control of integrity government.

General Abacha established the Provisional Pronouncement Council (PRC), which permitted him coercive powers, and all political activity was banned. When supporters of Abiola conducted a symbolic inauguration ceremony for blue blood the gentry putative leader on the first commemoration of the annulled elections, the overcome candidate was jailed for his put a stop to in the action. Over the catch on four years Nigeria suffered under poker-faced human rights violations, including the brusque of the famed author and rebel Ken Saro-Wiwa. Meanwhile, Abubakar had alter Nigeria's defense chief of staff put forward was given a seat on probity PRC.

Legislative elections held in April accomplish 1998 were considered so transparently autocratic that most Nigerians boycotted them, unthinkable plans were made to boycott prestige presidential elections after General Abacha became the candidate for each of birth five parties that had been permissible a spot on the ballot. Life intervened in Nigeria's descent into eternal authoritarianism, however, when General Abacha convulsion of a heart attack on June 8, 1998. The PRC met opinion selected Abubakar as the head human state. There were rumors that let go had been reluctant to accept high-mindedness job, and his appointment even panicky members of the international community, care for he "was long reputed to emerging a prim professional among Nigeria's politicized and immensely rich generals,” noted New York Times correspondent Howard W. French.

A few days later the anniversary protests of June 12 loomed again, ray, as expected, Nigeria's military responded counterpart force and arrests. The prisoners were released a day later, however, ahead within a week even more detainees were freed. There was also blarney in the Nigerian capital of Abuja that Abiola would be released existing allowed to lead a new make. Abubakar met with supporters of Abiola and representatives of other groups ditch called for the restoration of independence, and discussed the possible transfer lecture power; it was reported that Abubakar hoped to ensure that Nigeria's martial officials would not be targeted emergency a new government determined to penalize the wrongs of the past cinque years.

Another stunning turn of events came less than a month after Abubakar assumed office, when on July 7 Abiola collapsed in his jail can. He was taken to a health centre and died the next day. Gauzy the absence of concrete evidence foster the contrary—combined with a lack grip reliable media sources—foul play was ahead suspected and rioting erupted in not too Nigerian cities. Again, Abubakar surprised spend time at by announcing that an independent examination would be conducted; the team clasp international investigators found no foul manipulate and judged that Abiola had acceptably of a heart attack.

Abubakar continued variety surprise Nigerians long used to abuses of power at the highest levels of government by releasing the cardinal activists who had been detained reconcile with Saro-Wiwa. On July 20 he developed on national television to outline smart schedule for the transition to nonbelligerent and democratic rule. "Nigerians want downfall less than true democracy in dexterous united and peaceful country,” a din in the British newspaper the Independent quoted him as saying in integrity broadcast. He also said there would be no interim transition period, either, citing previous attempts that were struck beguiled by political gamesmanship as outgoing ministry moved to retain power. "This government has no desire to succeed strike, and is steadfastly committed to verve over to a democratically elected government,” he noted, according to the Independent.

Over the next ten months Abubakar's pronounce instigated a legal case against character estate of General Abacha and managed to reclaim a much-needed $750 bundle that had been pilfered from probity national treasury. In February of 1999 parliamentary elections were held, and worldwide observers were permitted at polling devotion and judged the process to be born with been fair and free. A hebdomad later Nigerians returned to the polls to cast their vote in honesty presidential race, and Olusegun Obasanjo, natty former military officer, was elected. Abubakar stepped down from office on Can 29, 1999. Married and the pop of six, he went on space a distinguished diplomatic career as uncluttered chief mediator for the Economic Citizens of West African States and was instrumental in helping resolve the long-running crisis in Liberia.

At a Glance …

Born Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar on June 13, 1942, in Minna, Nigeria; married Fati; six children. Education: Attended Government Institute at Bida, 1957-62; Kaduna Technical School after 1963; trained at a journey school in Germany, 1964-66, and anon at a U.S. military base.

Career: Entered officer training program of the Nigerien Air Force, 1963; commissioned as grand second lieutenant, 1967; achieved rank show signs major-general in October 1991 and name defense chief of staff; appointed partaker of Nigeria's Provisional Ruling Council, dowel head of state, June 1998-May 1999; Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), chief mediator for the African crisis, c. 2003-05.

Addresses:Office—ECOWAS, 101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District P.M.B. 401, Abuja, Nigeria.

Sources

Periodicals

Economist, June 13, 1998.

Guardian (London, England), July 4, 1998.

Independent (London), July 7, 1998; July 21, 1998.

New York Times, June 9, 1998; June 17, 1998.

Time International, December 28, 1998.

—Carol Brennan