Abdulsalami reveals Abacha twice recruited him for 1993 coup, refused both times

Former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd, disclosed in his autobiography 'Call of Duty' that late General Sani Abacha twice offered him the Chief of Army Staff position to join the 1993 coup that toppled the Interim National Government. Abdulsalami refused both offers, stating he did not want to be 'a tool in the hands of civilians seeking to use the military.'

His first warning came from Rear Admiral Suleiman Saidu, then Chief of Naval Staff, who visited him on a Monday evening in November 1993 saying Abacha and Gusau had travelled to Abuja for coup planning. Abdulsalami told Saidu to 'count me out.' On November 17, 1993, retired Major-General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua phoned asking what was happening in Abuja, specifically referencing rumors of removing Chief Ernest Shonekan.

These revelations add crucial firsthand insight to Nigeria's June 12, 1993 political crisis—a pivotal moment that led to prolonged military rule. Understanding Abacha's recruitment attempts explains how he consolidated power after Babangida's annulment of the June 12 election won by MKO Abiola. For Nigerians examining today's governance challenges, this historical context reveals patterns of military intervention that shaped democratic development.

The 264-page, 27-chapter book 'Call of Duty' contains these details in Chapter 17. Abdulsalami specifically dated the Yar'Adua call to November 17, 1993. This account challenges previous narratives about the Abacha takeover and provides valuable perspective for understanding how personal refusals by officers like Abdulsalami influenced the coup's trajectory. Consider how such historical power dynamics inform current efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and prevent extra-constitutional power grabs.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/14/how-abacha-dragged-me-into-his-coup-abdulsalami/