Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar as a soldier for democracy in Nigeria.
General Abdulsalami, who took over from late maximum ruler, General Sani Abacha handed over the reins of government to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999 after successful conduct of democratic elections.
Atiku in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja said that although General Abdulsalami exhibited great valour as a General in the Nigerian Army, his greatest feat as a soldier is the building of a
solid foundation for democracy to flourish in Nigeria.
The former Vice President while eulogizing General Abdulsalami on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary noted that it is not by sheer coincidence that the Fourth Republic has witnessed the longest
stretch of democratic governance in Nigeria.
He attributed this to the honest and firm commitment to make democracy thrive in Nigeria by the then outgoing military government headed by General Abdulsalami.
“It is not therefore by sheer coincidence that the seed of democracy, which he planted thirteen years ago, has continued to flourish and remains enduring.
“I think much of the credit for the growth of democracy in Nigeria should go to the then outgoing military government, having planted the seed of democracy in honesty and a firm commitment to nurture it,” Atiku said.
He paid glowing tribute to General Abdulsalami for his enviable loyalty and steadfastness in the service of the country.
According to Atiku Abubakar, “General Abdulsalami is not just a General of the Nigerian Army; he is a General for democracy in Nigeria. His greatest feat is how he successfully planted the seed of
democracy in Nigeria.”
