It is easier for the camel to pass through the eyes of a needle than to get an interview with former Head of State of, General Abdusalami Alhaji Abubakar (GCFR).
The amiable general earned his place in history after successfully handing over power to an elected civilian government in 1999 bringing a 19-year period of military rule to an end and ushering in the current democratic dispensation.
Aside occasional flash interviews, you can hardly get the general to comment on burning national issues or his life away from the public sphere. But on the eve of the commissioning of an ultra-modern general hospital built in his honour by the administration of Governor Mu’azuBabangida Aliyu of Niger State, the general, fondly called Triple A by friends, welcomed MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN, ASSISTANT EDITOR, to his hilltop home in Minna.
The home of the Abubakars, contrary to some stories, is modest, considering their status as the country’s former First Family. Though this was an evening reengagement, the lightning effects brought out the beauty of the decor in the living room with everything perfectly put in place.
But it is the composure and the overall disposition of the general that made a huge impression as he discussed freely (off record) with his other guests.
Even though the general was in a lively mood, he shied away from answering some questions because, as he said, ‘we have passed through all that and there is no need in going for a fishing expedition.’ Yet, he is as worried as any Nigerian about the insecurity in almost all partsof the country. He also spoke about how destiny played a key role in him becoming Headof State following the death of General Sanni Abacha in 1998. Excerpts.
Abdusalami Abubakar: ‘What’s happening in Nigeria now is mindboggling’
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