Akpabio Hails Abdulsalami for Restoring Democracy, Says Lawmakers Are Biggest Beneficiaries

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has described members of the National and State Assemblies as major beneficiaries of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s decision to hand over power to a civilian administration in 1999.

Akpabio made the remarks on Saturday during the public presentation of three books in honour of General Abdulsalami and the celebration of his 84th birthday at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the President of the Senate on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio praised the former military leader for resisting pressures from individuals who allegedly urged him to prolong military rule.

“Your Excellency, on behalf of my colleagues, I thank you for that patriotic action and decision you took on May 29, 1999. By that action, you restored democratic structures at both the national and state levels. We, the lawmakers, are major beneficiaries of that act of sacrifice over the past two decades,” Akpabio said.

He revealed that members of the National Assembly were looking forward to securing Abdulsalami’s approval for a special date to honour him for what he described as an uncommon display of patriotism and selflessness.

Akpabio noted that despite mounting pressure from “sycophants in the corridors of power” who reportedly advised the former Head of State to extend his tenure by one year, six months or three months, Abdulsalami remained steadfast in his commitment to return the country to democratic rule.

“I salute your courage and sacrifice because you did not allow yourself to be misled. If you had changed your mind due to that pressure, nobody would have challenged you. But as a man of integrity and with the fear of God, you ignored them and kept to your promise,” he stated.

The Senate President added that Abdulsalami’s decision paved the way for the inauguration of a democratically elected government led by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

He further stressed that under military administrations, the legislature was often the first casualty, while the executive and judiciary structures largely remained intact.

“During military rule, the executive and judiciary are always intact. It is the legislature that is usually suspended, and that is why we have to celebrate you for restoring democracy at the shortest time,” Akpabio said.

He also described Abdulsalami’s emergence as Head of State in 1998 as divinely ordained and prayed for God’s continued blessings and long life for the elder statesman.

Akpabio commended the former leader for documenting his experiences and reflections in books, saying future generations of Nigerians would remain grateful for his role in shaping the country’s democratic history.