Adesanya’s advice helped me to transit from military to democratic government- Adesanya

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, on Wednesday said that the he relied for advice from late Pa Abraham Adesanya in piloting the transition to democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

Speaking in Lagos at the 10th Memorial Symposium of the late NADECO Chieftain, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Abdulsalam said fate smiled on in June 1998 when he had to take over the mantle of leadership in Nigeria following the sudden death of Gen. Sani Abacha.

Abdulsalam was military Head of State from June 9, 1998 until May 29, 1999, and oversaw the transition programme which saw the military return to the barracks, 16 years after it earlier truncated civilian rule in 1983.

Abubakar transferred power to president-elect, Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999, returning the country to civil rule.

The late Adesanya, on his part, was a leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which was a thorn in the flesh of the military, constantly demanding a return to democracy. Adesanya died on April 27, 2008 at age 85.

The Minna born General said he had a good relationship with the late politician until his death.

“I had a good relationship with him when destiny brought me to be the Head of state of the country. I commend organisations that fought to bring democracy to Nigeria, and NADECO was the leading organisation.

“I relied on his advice and others to pilot the transition to democracy in Nigeria.”

Dignitaries that graced the occasion include a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; Yetunde Onanuga, Deputy Governor of Ogun State;  Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State; and Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.
APC chieftain, Chief Bisi Akande;  KOWA Party chieftain, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, PDP chieftain, Chief Bode George, and former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore among others were also present.