\n\nProminent leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), including retired Col. Tony Nyiam and Chief Ayo Opadokun, have strongly disputed claims made by former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, that pro-democracy leaders requested an extension of military rule during Nigeria’s transition to civilian government in 1998. The NADECO chieftains insisted that their struggle was solely aimed at ending military dictatorship and establishing genuine democracy through a people-driven constitution, not prolonging military governance.
The duo also challenged Abdulsalami’s assertion that the late winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, died of natural causes, maintaining that questions surrounding his death remain unresolved. Nyiam and Opadokun argued that discussions between NADECO leaders in exile and emissaries of the military government focused on securing a credible democratic transition and forming a government of national unity led by Abiola, rather than extending military rule. Their remarks have reignited debate over one of the most sensitive chapters in Nigeria’s democratic history, with conflicting accounts emerging over the events that shaped the country’s return to civilian governance in 1999.
