Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar has for the first time, given insight as to how the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola died while in detention.
Abiola died on July 7, 1998 when Abubakar was in power.
The former Head of State denied insinuations the late business mogul was poisoned.
Rather, he said he died after falling ill while receiving a delegation from the United States of America.
He spoke in an interview with Trust TV.
According to him: “Well, I smile because there were lots of allegations here and there that we killed Abiola. As always when I am talking about late Abiola, I still thank God for directing me on things to do when he gave me the leadership of this country.”
“On the day Moshood Abiola passed away, may he rest in peace, two to three things make me always say I thank my God for the guidance He gave me.
“One was I received a delegation from America headed by Pickering who was then, I think, the secretary of state or so. In his team I remember very well, was Susan Rice. I remember her very well because of the role she played later.
“So after the normal courtesy and discussion we had, when they were leaving my office, Pickering said “Your Excellency we made a request to see Moshood Abiola but we were denied”, so I said “Why were you denied? who denied you?” There and then I made a decision, I said “Look, you will see Moshood definitely, I overruled whoever said you cannot see him”. So I now called my chief security officer, I said “Please make arrangement for this team to see Abiola,” that is one point.”