Abdulsalami Reveals How Abacha Pulled Him Into The 1993 Coup

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has disclosed how the late General Sani Abacha drew him into the events that culminated in the 1993 military takeover, despite his initial reluctance to be part of the process.

According to details contained in Chapter 17 of his 264-page autobiography, Call of Duty, Abdulsalami explained that he was serving as Commandant of the National War College when the political tension triggered by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election intensified across the country.

The retired Army General revealed that after the coup which ousted the Interim National Government, Abacha offered him the position of Chief of Army Staff on two separate occasions. However, he declined both offers, insisting that he did not want to become an instrument for civilians seeking to manipulate the military for political purposes.

Abdulsalami noted that Abacha, who served as Minister of Defence under the Interim National Government, remained the highest-ranking military officer still actively serving in government after the Babangida administration, a move intended to maintain stability within the armed forces.

He further recounted that his first indication of an impending coup came from Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu, then Chief of Naval Staff, who paid him an unexpected visit one Monday evening in November 1993.

During the meeting, Saidu reportedly asked whether he was aware that Abacha and General Aliyu Gusau had travelled to Abuja. Abdulsalami said he expressed surprise, explaining that Abacha had already scheduled a meeting with him for the following day.

According to his account, Saidu warned him that some Army officers were planning a coup and made it clear that the Navy would not participate. Abdulsalami said he immediately distanced himself from the alleged plot, stressing that he had no prior knowledge of any such plan.

Reflecting on the incident, he wrote that he found it unusual that Abacha had arranged to see him despite being aware of his trip to Abuja, adding that it was the first time he had heard any suggestion of a coup.

Abdulsalami also revealed that on November 17, 1993, retired Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua contacted him by telephone to inquire about developments in Abuja. When he sought clarification, Yar’Adua reportedly suggested that the military was making moves to remove Interim Head of State Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The former Head of State said he responded that he was unaware of such developments but promised to make inquiries, noting that it was the second time he had heard rumours of a planned takeover before the eventual coup.