Abubakar, Abdulsalami (1942-…), a Nigerian Army general, was president of Nigeria from June 1998 until February 1999.
Abubakar was born on June 13, 1942, in Niger State in northern Nigeria. A career soldier, he had worked closely with a previous Nigerian military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida. Following the death of General Sani Abacha in June 1998, Abubakar was named president by Nigeria’s military Provisional Ruling Council, even though he had not held political office before. Abubakar became Nigeria’s 10th head of state since the country became independent in 1960. His predecessor, Abacha, had been a repressive and corrupt dictator. Soon after becoming president, Abubakar dismissed several of Abacha’s associates from various key government posts, released political prisoners, and promised an early transition to civilian democracy. He also gave indications that he would soon release Chief Moshood Abiola, whom Abacha had imprisoned in 1994 after annulling (canceling or dismissing) elections that Abiola had won. However, Abiola suddenly died in custody in July 1998. He was reported to have died from natural causes, but opponents of Abubakar remained suspicious of Abiola’s death.
In August 1998, several political parties were formed. Abubakar announced a draft constitution the following month. Local elections were held in December 1998, the first free elections since the annulled presidential elections of 1993. The result was a clear victory for the recently formed People’s Democratic Party.
Following the presidential election in February 1999, Abubakar was succeeded as president by General Olusegun Obasanjo.
