President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described the National Assembly and Nigeria’s democratic institutions as direct beneficiaries of the sacrifice made by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), in returning the country to democratic rule in 1999.
Akpabio said Abdulsalami’s decision to relinquish power after an 11-month transition programme, despite having the authority to remain in office, helped restore democratic governance and laid the foundation for the legislature and other democratic institutions operating today.
Speaking on behalf of the 10th National Assembly at the public presentation of three books in honour of the former military leader ahead of his 84th birthday, the Senate President hailed Abdulsalami as the man who brought democracy back to Nigeria at a critical period in the nation’s history.
‘We are the beneficiaries of the great sacrifice you made by handing over power to a democratically elected government,’ Akpabio said.
‘You brought democracy back to Nigeria. So, we have all benefited from that sacrifice.’
He noted that while every system of government has an executive and judiciary, only a democratic system guarantees the existence of a parliament, making the National Assembly a product of the transition programme supervised by Abdulsalami.
‘Every government will have an executive and a judiciary, but only democracy will have a parliament. My presence here today is an indication of the fact that you deserve the honour being accorded to you,’ he said.
Akpabio commended the former Head of State for resisting pressure from individuals who sought an extension of his tenure following the death of General Sani Abacha in 1998.
According to him, many advisers and beneficiaries of the military administration urged Abdulsalami to prolong his stay in office, but he remained committed to the transition timetable and national interest.
‘In government, there are always sycophants. Some came to you and said, ‘Extend your tenure.’ Others said, ‘Add six months’ or ‘add three months.’ You had the absolute power to do so, and nobody would have questioned you,’ Akpabio said.
‘But they were not speaking in the interest of Nigeria. They were not even speaking in your interest. They were speaking in their own personal interest.’
He said Abdulsalami silenced such voices through conviction and clarity of purpose.
‘You were able to shut them all up because you were a man who knew where he was going. I would like to follow somebody like you-a man who knows the road and follows it,’ he said.
The Senate President also proposed that the National Assembly consider setting aside a special day to honour Abdulsalami in recognition of his contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development.
‘We should actually have a day in the National Assembly dedicated to honouring Your Excellency,’ he said.
Akpabio further congratulated the former Head of State on the launch of his autobiography and two additional books published in his honour, describing them as important contributions to preserving the nation’s history.
‘I congratulate you for putting down your thoughts in your autobiography, and I salute those who have produced two additional books in your honour,’ he said.
He noted that the publications would help future generations understand the true account of Abdulsalami’s life and service, preventing distortions of history.
‘Future generations will never be misled because we have been able to put the right things on the table,’ he said.
The Senate President also shared a personal anecdote involving the late former Ghanaian leader, Jerry Rawlings, and Abdulsalami, saying it illustrated the power of destiny.
According to him, Rawlings had reportedly dismissed some suggestions made by Abdulsalami during a meeting in Ghana only days before the Nigerian military officer unexpectedly emerged as Head of State.
‘Three or four days later, he was announced as Nigeria’s Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. It showed that destiny may be delayed, but destiny can never be denied,’ Akpabio said.
He added that it was Abdulsalami’s destiny to lead Nigeria through a peaceful transition to democratic rule and that he discharged that responsibility with courage and selflessness.
While acknowledging the security and economic challenges facing the country, Akpabio expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome them under democratic governance.
He said those seeking to portray democracy negatively through insecurity and hardship would ultimately fail, expressing confidence in the efforts of President Bola Tinubu to address the nation’s challenges.
‘Many people point to insecurity in order to paint democracy in a bad light, but with the determination of President Bola Tinubu, the enemies we see today we shall see no more,’ he said.
‘We will defeat poverty in this country, and Nigeria will take its rightful place in the global community.’
Akpabio concluded by congratulating Abdulsalami on his 84th birthday and commending his enduring contributions to Nigeria, Africa and the international community.