Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has dismissed long-standing claims that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was poisoned, insisting that the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election collapsed during a meeting with United States envoys.
Abdulsalami made the clarification while reflecting on events surrounding Abiola’s death, stating that there was no evidence to support allegations that the late businessman and politician was deliberately poisoned.
According to him, Abiola was in a meeting with a delegation of U.S. officials when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
The former military leader noted that despite the persistent conspiracy theories that have trailed Abiola’s death over the years, the facts available to those present at the time did not indicate foul play.
Abiola died on July 7, 1998, while in detention after declaring himself president following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
His death remains one of the most controversial episodes in Nigeria’s democratic history, with many Nigerians continuing to seek answers decades later.
Abdulsalami’s remarks have reignited public debate over the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s passing and the enduring legacy of the June 12 struggle in Nigeria’s journey to democratic governance.
NEWS ARTICLE (CDA News Nigeria)
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has dismissed long-standing claims that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola was poisoned, insisting that the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election collapsed during a meeting with United States envoys.
Abdulsalami made the clarification while reflecting on events surrounding Abiola’s death, stating that there was no evidence to support allegations that the late businessman and politician was deliberately poisoned.
According to him, Abiola was in a meeting with a delegation of U.S. officials when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
The former military leader noted that despite the persistent conspiracy theories that have trailed Abiola’s death over the years, the facts available to those present at the time did not indicate foul play.
Abiola died on July 7, 1998, while in detention after declaring himself president following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
His death remains one of the most controversial episodes in Nigeria’s democratic history, with many Nigerians continuing to seek answers decades later.
Abdulsalami’s remarks have reignited public debate over the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s passing and the enduring legacy of the June 12 struggle in Nigeria’s journey to democratic governance.
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