Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has disclosed that the events surrounding the death of former military ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha, on June 8, 1998, left him with a lingering suspicion that “something was fishy.”

The revelation is contained in Chapter 19 of his 264-page autobiography, Call of Duty, unveiled on Saturday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during celebrations marking his 84th birthday.

The event, attended by top government officials and dignitaries, had President Bola Tinubu represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour.

Abubakar recounted that on the morning of June 8, 1998, he was awaiting what he believed would be notification of his retirement from military service after 35 years when he received a call to report to the Presidential Villa.

According to him, he arrived at the Villa in casual attire—a tracksuit and slippers—because of the urgency of the invitation. Upon arrival, he was informed that the Head of State was not in his office but was at his residence.

He said he was directed to wait in a reception room, where he was later joined by then Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi.

The two officers remained there for nearly an hour before discovering that they had unknowingly been locked inside.

“Something kept telling me that something was wrong, but I could not place a finger on it,” Abubakar wrote.

Abubakar recalled that the door was eventually opened by then Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, who informed them that Gen. Sani Abacha had died.

Shocked by the announcement, Abubakar said he requested to see Abacha’s body and offered prayers after viewing it.

He described the atmosphere at the residence as chaotic, with senior government and military officials arriving and discussions quickly shifting toward succession.

Among those present, he recalled, were Babagana Kingibe and then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammadu Uwais.

Abubakar alleged that members of what he described as Abacha’s “inner caucus” were more focused on determining the next Head of State than on burial arrangements.

According to him, plans were allegedly underway to exclude him and Bamaiyi from the succession process while efforts were being made to install another leader.

He further claimed that the trip to Kano for Abacha’s burial was intended to keep key figures away from Abuja while political arrangements were finalized.

Abubakar alleged that there were plans to swear in then Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, as Head of State during their absence.

As Chief of Defence Staff and the most senior military officer after Abacha, Abubakar chaired the meeting of the Provisional Ruling Council following the former ruler’s death.

He said intense deliberations followed, with competing interests among senior officers over succession.

According to his account, the eventual contest for leadership narrowed to himself and Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni, though there was also support for Bamaiyi.

Ultimately, Abubakar said he emerged victorious after a vote by members of the ruling council.

“I won the vote. That was how I became the 11th Nigerian Head of State,” he wrote.