General Abdulsalami Abubakar, a former military head of state of Nigeria, has officially stated that MKO Abiola’s death was not a result of poisoning. In his recently released autobiography titled ‘Call of Duty’, the retired general provides new insights into the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s demise.
The book, which spans 27 chapters and 264 pages, was unveiled during a ceremony marking the author’s 84th birthday. The event was graced by Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu as the special guest of honour.
According to Abdulsalami, an international team of pathologists from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Nigeria conducted a thorough autopsy on Abiola’s body. The comprehensive examination concluded that the activist’s death was due to natural causes, contradicting long-held suspicions of foul play.
Abiola passed away on July 7, 1998, while in detention. He had been held since 1994 after declaring himself president. The fatal incident occurred during a meeting with a US delegation that included Tom Pickering and Susan Rice.
The autobiography reveals that Abiola had been battling significant health issues for years. As early as 1994, when he was first arrested by the Abacha administration, it was widely known that he suffered from hypertension and a heart condition. These pre-existing ailments, Abdulsalami emphasizes, severely impacted his quality of life and ultimately contributed to his death.