President Bola Tinubu has described former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as a quintessential statesman whose integrity and orderly handover of power in 1999 gave birth to the country’s most resilient democratic dispensation.
The President’s tribute was delivered by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented him at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The high-profile gathering commemorated General Abubakar’s 84th birthday and the public presentation of three books detailing his life, military career, and international peace-building legacies.
Addressing an audience that included several continental leaders, Tinubu emphasised that Abubakar assumed the leadership of Nigeria during a period of immense national anxiety and uncertainty.
Rather than exploiting the situation to prolong military dictatorship, the retired general committed to an 11-month transition program—a timeline he executed precisely on schedule.
The President noted that by prioritising national interest over the temptations of absolute power, Abubakar demonstrated rare selflessness and vision, ensuring that democratic structures were securely laid.
Tinubu said he made a solemn commitment to restore democratic governance and, despite immense challenges, fulfilled his promise within 11 months, a record in Nigeria’s transition history.
He stressed that Abubakar’s transitional framework directly gave rise to the ongoing Fourth Republic, which stands as the longest uninterrupted era of civilian rule in Nigeria’s political history.
Speaking as a direct beneficiary of that 1999 transition program, Tinubu extended the gratitude of the entire federation to the octogenarian, recalling how the former military ruler’s practical approach made a democratic future possible when many pro-democracy advocates harboured deep doubts.
The event drew prominent figures from across the African continent, underscoring Abubakar’s continued role in regional diplomacy and conflict resolution.
Among the dignitaries present were His Excellency President Julius Maada Wonie Bio, the President of Sierra Leone and current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, alongside former South African President Thabo Mbeki, who served as the keynote speaker for the occasion.
The President stated that the volumes launched at the event perfectly preserve Abubakar’s enduring contributions to peace, security, and institutional development across Africa, declaring that no honour is too great for the retired general’s sacrifices.
