History of General Abdulsalami Abubakar Personal Life and Family of General Abdulsalami Abubakar

  

History of General Abdulsalami Abubakar Personal Life and Family of General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Early Life and Education

Abdulsalami Abubakar was born on June 13, 1942, in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. He hails from the Gwari ethnic group. He attended local primary and secondary schools in Minna before enrolling at Kaduna Technical College.

In 1963, he joined the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as one of its pioneer recruits but later transferred to the Nigerian Army. He attended military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna and was commissioned as an officer in 1966.

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Military Career

Abubakar served in various capacities throughout his military career, gaining experience in different divisions of the Nigerian Army:

• 1969-1979: Served in the Biafran War (Nigerian Civil War) as a field officer.
• 1980s: Commanded the 2nd Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army.
• 1990s: Appointed Chief of Defence Staff under General Sani Abacha.
• Played key roles in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations in Lebanon, Chad, and Namibia.

By 1997, he was one of the highest-ranking military officers in Nigeria and became Chief of Defence Staff.

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Personal Life and Family of General Abdulsalami Abubakar

Marriage and Family

General Abdulsalami Abubakar is married to Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, a respected legal professional. She served as the Chief Judge of Niger State and has been involved in legal reforms and advocacy for women’s rights.

The couple has children, though they generally keep their family life private. Their children have pursued various careers in business, law, and public service.

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Lifestyle and Interests

• Abubakar is known for living a quiet and simple life despite his high-profile status.
• He enjoys farming and has invested in agriculture in his home state of Niger.
• He has a passion for reading and diplomacy, often engaging in intellectual discussions on governance and peacebuilding.

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Residence and Philanthropy

• He resides in Minna, Niger State, where he maintains a private residence.
• He has been involved in charitable activities, especially in education and healthcare.
• He has sponsored scholarships and development projects in his home community.

Becoming Head of State (1998-1999)

On June 8, 1998, General Sani Abacha died suddenly from a suspected heart attack. The military leadership selected Abdulsalami Abubakar as the next Head of State on June 9, 1998.

When Abubakar took over, Nigeria was under international sanctions due to Abacha’s dictatorship. The country was politically unstable, with many pro-democracy activists imprisoned, including Chief Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

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Transition to Democracy

Unlike previous military leaders, Abubakar quickly set a plan to return Nigeria to democratic rule:

1. Dissolved Abacha’s political structures and reversed some of his unpopular policies.
2. Released political prisoners, including Olusegun Obasanjo and other activists.
3. Announced a transition program to restore civilian government within one year.
4. Conducted democratic elections in February 1999, which saw Olusegun Obasanjo of the PDP win the presidency.
5. Handed over power on May 29, 1999, marking the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

He is widely praised for keeping his promise of stepping down, unlike previous military rulers.

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Post-Presidency Activities

After retiring from the presidency, Abubakar became a respected elder statesman in Nigeria and across Africa. His activities include:

• Peace Mediation: He has mediated conflicts in Liberia, Sudan, Mali, and Guinea-Bissau.
• National Peace Committee (NPC): He established the committee to promote peaceful elections in Nigeria.
• Goodwill Ambassador: Works with the United Nations and African Union on peace missions.
• Private Business Interests: Engaged in agriculture and other business ventures.

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Achievements and Challenges of General Abdulsalami Abubakar as Nigeria’s Head of State (1998–1999)

Major Achievements

1. Restoration of Democracy

   • Successfully organized democratic elections within 11 months of taking power.
   • Ensured a peaceful transition to civilian rule on May 29, 1999, making him the first Nigerian military leader to voluntarily hand over power on schedule.

2. Release of Political Prisoners

   • Ordered the release of political prisoners, including Olusegun Obasanjo and other pro-democracy activists jailed by General Sani Abacha.
   • Restored civil liberties and allowed exiled politicians and activists to return.

3. Dissolution of Abacha’s Political Structures

   • Abolished political parties and institutions created under Abacha’s dictatorship.
   • Established the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections.

4. Economic Reforms and International Relations

   • Worked to restore Nigeria’s reputation globally after years of international sanctions.
   • Encouraged foreign investment and improved relations with global powers like the US and UK.

5. New Constitution (1999 Constitution)

   • His administration drafted and implemented the 1999 Constitution, which remains the legal framework for Nigeria’s democracy.

6. Reformation of the Military

   • Promoted a non-political military, preventing future military coups.
   • Retired several military officers involved in politics to strengthen democracy.

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Challenges Faced During His Leadership

1. Political Instability and Tension

   • Nigeria was deeply divided following years of dictatorship, and there was mistrust in his government.
   • The death of Chief Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 election, in government custody worsened tensions.

2. Short Timeframe for Reforms

   • Had only 11 months to organize democratic elections, which left little room for major economic or political reforms.

3. Economic Hardship

   • Nigeria was facing economic difficulties, including high unemployment and inflation.
   • The debt burden inherited from the Abacha regime made it difficult to implement major economic policies.

4. Security Concerns

   • Faced the challenge of disbanding Abacha’s security apparatus, which had been used to suppress opposition.
   • Ethnic and religious tensions flared up in some parts of the country.

Legacy and Impact

Abdulsalami Abubakar is remembered as:

• The leader who ended 16 years of military rule in Nigeria.
• A man of integrity who kept his word to hand over power.
• A peace advocate involved in conflict resolution in Africa.

His leadership is often compared to other African military rulers, and he remains one of Nigeria’s most respected former heads of state.