ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday said that former Head
of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar rescued the nation at a time when
its corporate existence was under threat.President Jonathan who made
the remarks in Abuja during the presentation of a book, the “time and
legacy’ of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar,
the liberal and solution to stable democracy in Nigeria”, said General
Abubakar became the Head of State at such a turbulent time in our nation
history.
Commending the efforts of the former military ruler at resolving the
political crisis that engulfed the country at that time, Dr. Jonathan
noted however that, under the administration of General Abubakar,
democracy was restored and the polity was sanitize.
FROM R -L VICE PRESIDENT MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO; FORMER HEAD OF STATE
GEN. IBRAHIM BABANGINDA; FORMER GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE CHIEF OLUSEGUN
OSOBA; WIFE OF FORMER HEAD OF STATE JUSTICE FATI ABUBAKAR; AND THE ETSU-
NUPE. ALHAJI YAHAYA ABUBAKAR; DURING A BOOK PRESENTATION ON FORMER HEAD
OF STATE GEN. ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR IN ABUJA ON WEDNESDAY
President Jonathan who was represented by Vice President, Arch.
Namadi Sambo said the administration of General Abubakar helped to place
Nigeria in the enviable position in the comity of democratic nations.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and former Military
President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida commended the courage of
General Abubakar who he said successively steered the ship of the nation
to stability.
Describing him as a nation builder and detribalised Nigerian leader,
General Babangida praised the former Head of State for restoring peace
in Nigeria at that time.
According to Jonathan, “General Abdulsalami Abubakar became the Head
of State at such a turbulent time in our nation history and when the
corporate existence of our nation was under threat.
“On assumption of office, General Abdulsalami Abubakar did not only
restore confidence in our body polity, but helped in rejuvenating
political activities which serve as catalogue to foster consensus
building among stakeholders in the Nigerian project, thereby placing
Nigeria in the enviable position in the comity of democratic nations.
“His conduct of the 1999 general elections helped to usher in a
democratic process which is gradually maturing by the day. He among
others, allowed the independent of the electoral empire, created an
enabling environment for political parties to evolve through genuine
participation, robust political belief and principles.
“This really places the cynics at their proper place, who postulated
that no successive transition could ever be achieved in Nigeria. Having
successively issued a successive transition and enthroned a successful
government, he brought into light our 1999 constitution through the
promulgation of a Decree to that effect.
“Before going out of office, he ensured that he granted amnesty to
state offenders and pardoned those who are considered as enemies of
state. This act further helped to catapult our rising to a progressing
and responsible democracy.
“He finally handed over to General Olusegun Obasanjo as the President
and Commander in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria on the 29 of May 1999.
“Abdulsalami has earned for himself a reputation as a lover, builder,
friend and champion of democracy in Nigeria. Little wonder, his
membership of several international negotiation, mediation, peace and
conflict resolution committees”, he said.
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