Abdulsalami Abubakar Denies Abiola Poisoning Claims

Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former military head of state, addressed longstanding claims regarding the death of presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, stating he was not poisoned. This clarification was made during the public presentation of his autobiography in Abuja, coinciding with Abiola's 84th birthday.

Abubakar referenced an autopsy conducted by Nigerian and foreign pathologists, which attributed Abiola's death on July 7, 1998, to natural causes. He emphasized that he had no prior knowledge of the decision to annul the June 12 elections, which was taken by then-military president Ibrahim Babangida.

The event attracted several notable figures, including current President Bola Tinubu and former leaders from various African nations, who praised Abubakar's role in Nigeria's transition to democratic rule in 1999.