Author: Gabby

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired), has unveiled startling details about how the late General Sani Abacha compelled him to participate in the 1993 coup d’état. The revelations are contained in Chapter 17 of his autobiography titled ‘Call of Duty’, a 264-page, 27-chapter memoir.

At the time, Abdulsalami served as Commandant of the National War College, a position he held amid escalating political turmoil following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. He recounted that he declined the post of Chief of Army Staff twice after Abacha seized power from the Interim National Government, firmly stating that he did not wish to become a pawn for civilians exploiting the military.

The former general noted that Abacha, who was the Minister of Defense under the interim government, remained the highest-ranking military officer in active service and within the administration, having been retained by the Babangida regime to ensure military stability. He disclosed that his initial awareness of the unfolding plot came from Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu, then Chief of Naval Staff, who visited his home on a Monday evening in November 1993 with an urgent alert. Saidu inquired if Abdulsalami knew that Abacha and Gusau had traveled to Abuja. Abdulsalami was taken aback, as Abacha had scheduled a meeting with him for the following day. Saidu warned that the army was considering a coup and that the navy would not participate. Abdulsalami assured him that he had no knowledge of any such plan and was not involved.

Further confirming his ignorance, Abdulsalami wrote that retired Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua telephoned him on November 17, 1993, asking what was happening in Abuja. When Abdulsalami asked for clarification, Yar’Adua stated that they were attempting to remove Chief Ernest Shonekan. Again, Abdulsalami professed no knowledge and said he would investigate. This was the second time he heard the coup rumor, he emphasized.

A devastating fire swept through a mechanic workshop in Ibadan, Oyo State, destroying at least four vehicles and other valuables worth millions of naira. The incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Akingbade area along Old Ife Road.

According to sources, the flames also consumed a container located on the premises. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the blaze.

Hon. Maroof Akinwande, Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, confirmed the incident on Sunday. He stated that the operation was a joint effort with personnel from the Federal Fire Service.

Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters found a container and four vehicles engulfed in thick, billowing smoke. The fire was quickly brought under control, preventing it from spreading to adjacent properties.

Akinwande attributed the cause of the fire to sparks from an engine compartment that ignited combustible materials. He emphasized that no casualties were recorded and hailed the collaboration with the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command.

In a separate incident on the same day, a shop and a residential building in Ogbomoso were also ravaged by fire. The incident occurred at No. 5 Ile Atagbonrin, Stadium Area, Ogbomoso, affecting properties worth millions of naira.

Akinwande confirmed this incident as well, noting that a prefabricated shop adjoining a six-room residential building was engulfed in flames.

In Ebonyi State, political contenders eyeing various offices in the 2027 general elections faced a rigorous vetting session over the weekend. The Ohaukwu Youth General Assembly organized a town hall where candidates outlined their visions and committed to a peace accord, vowing to maintain non-violent campaigns.

The gathering took place at Grace Garden and Event Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, drawing aspirants for multiple positions, youth representatives, local leaders, and security personnel. Organizers described it as a step toward fostering peaceful political discourse and accountable leadership before the polls.

Mr. Emmanuel Onah, National President of the Ohaukwu Youth Assembly, explained that the event aimed to give young people a direct line to question aspirants and gauge their ability to offer effective governance. He noted that the Assembly is the first youth body to unite youths from Ezzamgbo, Ngbo, Effium, and Ezza-Effium communities under a single platform.

Onah highlighted the organization’s efforts to curb cultism, drug misuse, and youth unrest in the area, insisting that the current peace in the local government must not be jeopardized by political maneuvering. He revealed that every candidate present signed a peace accord, pledging to run peaceful campaigns and ensure their followers avoid violence or actions that could disturb public order.

‘We want our mothers to sleep peacefully at night. Our goal is development, unity, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. That’s why we called all candidates to share their plans with the youth before asking for votes,’ Onah stated.

The youth leader expressed disappointment over the no-shows by some invited aspirants, suggesting their absence showed disrespect for the youth whose support they need. He emphasized that the program was open to candidates from all political parties and conducted with full security clearance from relevant agencies.

One of the aspirants, Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, known as T-Man, who is running for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, identified joblessness as a key driver of insecurity and social strife among young people. He argued that providing meaningful employment for youth would substantially curb violence and criminal activities.

‘A representative’s first duty is to get youths off the streets. If young people have jobs, there will be no conflict. We offer not rice or handouts but employment and empowerment chances,’ Ogalagu said. He vowed to focus on job creation, educational scholarships, skills training, and infrastructure development if elected. He also pledged to fund postgraduate studies for qualified youths in the constituency and support women through cassava-processing projects and access to soft loans.

Chief Onyeoma Kelechi, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu South State Constituency, highlighted his track record in education and youth empowerment. He said his foundation has established schools and scholarship schemes, which he would expand if elected to public office. Kelechi noted that legislative work goes beyond making laws to include robust oversight and ensuring government projects benefit the people. He assured constituents he would push for policies that create jobs and improve governance.

Barrister Christopher Ajagba, National Democratic Coalition (NDC) candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, prioritized peacebuilding. He lamented the long-running Effium and Ezza-Effium crisis and other communal conflicts, stressing that sustainable development depends on a peaceful environment. Ajagba promised to advance initiatives that foster reconciliation, stability, employment, and empowerment across the constituency.

Mr. Sebastian Valentine Odono, NDC candidate for the Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, urged voters to judge candidates on competence, vision, and delivery capacity. Odono, a political newcomer, unveiled a six-point agenda focusing on effective representation, education, agriculture, youth development, and economic empowerment. He pledged to bring modern farming technologies to boost productivity and help farmers move from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Comrade Christian Mayor Iduma, Labour Party candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, emphasized the need for visionary leadership that can attract development partners and opportunities to the area. He described his campaign as a ‘healing mandate’ aimed at restoring lasting peace, especially in conflict-hit communities. Iduma called on youths to prioritize competence and character over party loyalty when voting.

Mr. Kenneth Onwe, APGA candidate for Ohaukwu North State Constituency, said grassroots development would be central to his legislative agenda. He pointed to interventions by his foundation, such as educational support and aid for widows and the vulnerable. Onwe promised to work with development agencies to bring projects and improve living standards in the constituency.

A guest speaker, Barrister Mishael Elom, warned against social media abuse and reminded youths of the legal risks of cyberbullying, defamation, and privacy invasion. He urged participants to focus on issue-based politics and avoid actions that could incite hatred or damage others’ reputations. According to him, responsible use of digital platforms is vital for peaceful coexistence and strengthening democratic values.