Abdulsalami Reveals Surprising Football Story Linked To 1993 Coup

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has revealed how the late General Sani Abacha repeatedly pressured him to accept appointment as Chief of Army Staff following the November 1993 military takeover that removed the Interim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan.

According to Ireporter Online, Abdulsalami made the disclosure in his autobiography, Call of Duty, launched during events marking his 84th birthday in Abuja, which was attended by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside former military leaders and other dignitaries.

He explained that he initially rejected the offer twice, insisting he would not allow himself to be used by political actors to manipulate the military establishment. At the time, he was serving as Commandant of the National War College when rumours of a coup began circulating within military circles.

Abdulsalami recounted how early indications of the plot reached him through the then Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu, who confirmed that senior officers had travelled to Abuja amid growing tension. He also recalled being informed by the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua about discussions surrounding the removal of Shonekan, further confirming the unfolding political crisis.

Following Shonekan’s resignation on November 17, 1993, Abdulsalami said he was pressured to attend a high-level military meeting at the Flag Staff House but refused, insisting he had not been formally invited. He maintained that military discipline and proper procedure were being ignored during the transition.

He further narrated how he was later denied entry at the meeting venue despite stopping by briefly, describing the moment as embarrassing. Shortly after, he received a direct communication indicating he had been selected as Chief of Army Staff, a move he strongly rejected due to procedural irregularities.

Tensions escalated until Abacha personally invited him for a private meeting, during which both men reached an understanding after Abdulsalami laid down conditions, including transparency in decision-making and direct communication in the event of any disagreement.

However, he later learned that a list had been compiled suggesting his retirement alongside several senior officers, including Major-Generals David Mark and others, although the decision was ultimately reversed. Instead, he was later named Chief of Defence Staff, a development he first saw through a leaked embargoed list before it was officially announced on radio.

Abdulsalami also reflected on his long-standing relationship with Abacha, noting that it dated back to their school days in Northern Nigeria. He recalled their time playing football together, where Abacha played as a defender while he featured as a striker, a rivalry that later evolved into friendship and military collaboration during the Nigerian Civil War.

He further disclosed that he once cautioned Abacha against arbitrary governance decisions, warning of potential consequences of unchecked power within the military hierarchy.

Abdulsalami eventually succeeded Abacha as Head of State following his sudden death in June 1998, and later oversaw Nigeria’s transition to civilian rule, handing over power to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.