Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has revealed that a United States delegation present with Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola shortly before his death was initially denied access to the late politician.
The revelation is contained in Abdulsalami’s autobiography, scheduled for public presentation in Abuja on Saturday.
The book sheds new light on the circumstances surrounding the death of Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.
According to Abdulsalami, the U.S. delegation, led by former Ambassador Tom Pickering and including Susan Rice, visited Nigeria in July 1998 to assess the country's political situation following the death of General Sani Abacha. The delegation had hoped to meet Abiola but was initially refused access.
Abdulsalami said he intervened after learning of the request and directed his Chief Security Officer, Abdulrasheed Aliyu, to arrange the meeting. However, during the meeting on July 7, 1998, Abiola reportedly became restless, developed a cough, started sweating, and was later pronounced dead at the State House Clinic.
His death sparked widespread speculation and unrest, particularly in Lagos, with rumours suggesting he may have been poisoned after drinking tea offered by members of the American delegation.
Rejecting the poisoning claims, Abdulsalami stated that an autopsy involving Nigerian, American, British and Canadian pathologists concluded that Abiola died of natural causes linked to severe heart disease and long-standing hypertension.
He maintained that there was no evidence of foul play, noting that toxicology tests ruled out poisoning. According to the autopsy report, publicly presented on July 11, 1998, Abiola suffered from serious coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart, both of which could have caused sudden death.
Abdulsalami also dismissed long-standing conspiracy theories surrounding the deaths of both Abacha and Abiola, insisting he had no reason to believe either man was assassinated.
The former leader said rumours of poisoning persisted despite the autopsy findings and were later amplified by various individuals during public hearings and media discussions. However, he maintained that the evidence available pointed to natural causes rather than any deliberate act.