Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has revealed that he personally advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo not to contest the 1999 presidential election after his release from prison.
He made the disclosure in his autobiography, where he recounted a meeting with Obasanjo in 1998 after his release.
According to him, Obasanjo had come to discuss two main issues: whether to take legal action against the Federal Government over his imprisonment and whether to accept an invitation from the Peoples Democratic Party to run for president.
Abdulsalami said he advised him to abandon any plan of going to court, noting that legal action could take a long time and outcomes were uncertain. He added that he assured him government could consider compensation for losses suffered during detention instead of litigation.
On the political ambition, Abdulsalami said he told Obasanjo to return home and be grateful for his freedom rather than pursue a presidential bid. He said Obasanjo later indicated he would think about it but never returned with a final response.
He also maintained that his administration did not promote or sponsor Obasanjo’s eventual candidacy, explaining that many political prisoners were released and pardoned as part of a broad decision, not targeted support for any individual.
The former military leader further wrote that there were also private efforts by some groups and retired officers who believed Obasanjo was best placed to unite the country at the time, but said those actions were not linked to his government.
In the same account, Abdulsalami described how his administration adjusted political party registration guidelines to allow the Alliance for Democracy to qualify, despite initially failing to meet set conditions. He explained that the move was made to avoid political exclusion and maintain national balance.
He also recounted that the transition to civilian rule in 1999 was shaped by practical considerations, including judicial input that required additional time after elections before inauguration, which led to the May 1999 handover date.
Abdulsalami added that although there was pressure from different groups to extend military rule, he was committed to a quick transition and ultimately handed over power as planned after stabilising the country.
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