Akinnola Challenges Abdulsalami’s Account of Abiola’s Death, Cites Oputa Panel Testimony

Veteran journalist and civil rights activist Richard Akinnola has disputed claims by former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), that the late winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, died of natural causes while in detention.

Akinnola, in a Facebook post titled “My Response to General Abdulsalami Abubakar, A Former Head of State,” argued that portions of the former leader’s account in his recently launched autobiography contradicted evidence presented before the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, popularly known as the Oputa Panel.

The former Head of State had reportedly stated in an interview that Abiola was served tea by State House security personnel shortly before his death on July 7, 1998, dismissing long-standing allegations that foreign visitors were involved in serving the drink.

However, Akinnola cited testimony presented before the Oputa Panel, claiming that Major S. Aliyu, who served as Chief Security Officer to Abdulsalami, testified that a member of the visiting United States delegation, Susan Rice, served Abiola tea from a flask during the meeting.

According to Akinnola, Major Aliyu also admitted under cross-examination that he was uncertain whether the tea had been tasted before it was served to the detained politician.

The activist further referenced testimony from ASP Theodore Zadok, Abiola’s chief minder, who reportedly told the panel that it was standard procedure for him to taste all food and drinks served to Abiola. Zadok allegedly stated that he had been called away shortly before the tea was served, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Akinnola questioned the rationale behind international visitors serving refreshments to a detainee and argued that Abdulsalami’s recent account was inconsistent with testimonies given during the Oputa Panel proceedings.

Beyond the controversy surrounding Abiola’s death, Akinnola also rejected Abdulsalami’s reported assertion that the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, did not steal public funds but merely kept Nigeria’s money abroad in his personal name.

The activist, who noted that he had taken the Abdulsalami administration to court on two occasions during military rule, maintained that historical records and testimonies should guide public understanding of the events surrounding Abiola’s detention and death.

Chief MKO Abiola died in government custody on July 7, 1998, while meeting with a delegation of Nigerian and foreign officials. His death remains one of the most debated episodes in Nigeria’s political history.

The Oputa Panel, established in 1999 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, investigated alleged human rights abuses committed between 1966 and 1999, including the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s detention and death.

As of the time of filing this report, General Abdulsalami Abubakar had not publicly responded to Akinnola’s latest remarks.