Imminent Showdown Between Major Al-Mustapha And General Abdulsalam

Major Al Mustapha and General Abubakar Abdusalam

Credible sources have told SaharaReporters of an imminent showdown between Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Nigerian dictator, General Sani Abacha, and Abacha’s successor, General Abdulsalam Abubakar.

One of the sources said that the former Head of State is jittery of possible revelations that may come from Al-Mustapha, who enjoys the sympathy of Abacha’s family and of several other prominent Northerners who blame both Abdulsalam and General Ibrahim Babangida for the North’s present political misfortune and for the 1998 decision to support the candidature of the then imprisoned General Olusegun Obasanjo.

Al-Mustapha, one of the sources said, is also accusing Abdulsalam of betraying and setting him up in his 15 years of travails behind bars.

“The case of the former CSO was orchestrated by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and there are several sensitive properties and documents of Major Al-Mustapha that he confiscated and seized. All these factors are gradually brewing to a major showdown,” he declared.

He added that Al-Mustapha will make his position clear on his estranged relationship with Gen. Abdulsalam as soon as he is through with all the formalities that will decide his case concerning his formal discharge from the Nigerian Army. Other concerns include the petition by the family of Chief Kudirat Abiola against the judgment that set him free.

It has also been gathered that there are pressures on Al-Mustapha by other interests not to make a formal reply to his allegations against Abdulsalam.  Among them, SaharaReporters as learnt that the emirs and religious leaders to whom Al-Mustapha has paid homage since his release have pleaded with him to forgive, and not fight back.

It will be recalled that during the Justice Oputa Commission, Al-Mustapha serially accused Abdulsalam of culpability in the death of Chief MKO Abiola, as well as a romantic affair with the youngest wife of late Gen. I.D. Gumel whom he said had supported the quick release of Chief Abiola.