Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has reopened public conversation around the death of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, declaring that the late politician was already being prepared for release before he suddenly died in detention.
Abdulsalami, who spoke during the presentation of his autobiography, Call of Duty, dismissed long-standing claims that Abiola was poisoned, insisting that medical findings showed he died of natural causes.
According to him, an autopsy carried out by Nigerian, American, British and Canadian pathologists found no evidence of poisoning.
He said Abiola, who had a history of hypertension and heart-related ailments, suffered a heart attack during a meeting with a visiting American delegation in July 1998 and died despite efforts to revive him.
The former Head of State maintained that investigations into the death of the late businessman and politician confirmed that there was no foul play.
Also speaking, former President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that arrangements had already been made for Abiola’s release before his sudden death, adding that Abiola’s son, Kola, had arrived in Abuja to receive him.
