MKO Abiola Died of Natural Causes, Not Poisoning – Abdulsalami

Former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has rejected long-standing claims that the late MKO Abiola was poisoned, stating that medical investigations concluded he died from natural causes.

In his newly released autobiography, Call of Duty, Abdulsalami revealed that an autopsy requested by Abiola’s family and conducted by pathologists from Nigeria, the United States, Britain, and Canada found no evidence of poisoning.

According to the former military leader, Abiola collapsed on July 7, 1998, during a meeting with a visiting American delegation that included Tom Pickering and Susan Rice.

Abdulsalami explained that Abiola had been battling health challenges, including hypertension and a heart condition, 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 repeatedly during the meeting and later complained of feeling hot. A doctor was called and reportedly determined that he was suffering a heart attack.

Former U.S. diplomat Tom Pickering also recalled that Abiola experienced severe breathing difficulties before being rushed to a medical facility, where doctors were unable to save him.

Abdulsalami described receiving the shocking news from his Chief Security Officer, saying he was devastated when informed that Abiola had died.

He argued that allowing the American delegation to meet Abiola before his death helped prevent conspiracy theories that the government had concealed his condition while he was in detention.

The former Head of State also dismissed allegations that he received $500 million following the death of Sani Abacha, describing the claim as baseless and unrealistic.

Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of Nigeria’s annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, had been detained since 1994 after declaring himself president. His death in custody, shortly after Abacha’s death, sparked years of speculation and controversy across the country.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share