MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes, Not Poisoning — Abdulsalami Breaks Silence After 28 Years

“MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes, Not Poisoning — Abdulsalami Breaks Silence After 28 Years”

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has dismissed long-standing claims that Chief MKO Abiola was poisoned, revealing that an international autopsy concluded the June 12 winner died from natural causes.

In his newly released autobiography, Call of Duty, unveiled during his 84th birthday celebration in Abuja, Abdulsalami recounted the dramatic events surrounding Abiola’s death on July 7, 1998.

According to him, Abiola collapsed during a meeting with top American diplomats, including then U.S. Undersecretary of State Tom Pickering and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan Rice.

“I do not believe Abiola was poisoned,” Abdulsalami stated. “The family requested an autopsy, and pathologists from the United States, Britain, Canada, and Nigeria conducted it. Their findings showed he died of natural causes.”

The former military ruler disclosed that Abiola had been battling serious health conditions, including hypertension and heart disease, years before his death. Medical reports from 1994 reportedly showed an enlarged heart linked to hypertensive cardiac disease.

Quoting Susan Rice’s memoir, Abdulsalami said Abiola began coughing heavily during the meeting, complained of feeling hot, and soon showed signs of severe distress. Doctors later diagnosed a heart attack.

Tom Pickering also recalled that Abiola struggled to breathe, removed his shirt, and was rushed to a medical facility, where doctors fought unsuccessfully to save his life.

Abdulsalami described receiving the shocking news from his Chief Security Officer, saying his “head went blank” when informed that Abiola had died.

He argued that allowing the American delegation to meet Abiola helped dispel conspiracy theories, noting that his death in complete detention would have fueled even greater suspicion.

The former Head of State also rejected allegations that he received $500 million after the death of General Sani Abacha, describing the claim as “pure fantasy” and impossible to conceal.

Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, died in custody after four years of detention, leaving behind one of Nigeria’s most enduring political mysteries.