Letter to Jonathan: Al-Mustapha challenges Obasanjo to public debate

Mr. Al-Mustapha said he has forgiven everyone involved in his incarceration.

The former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, Sani Abacha, Hamza Al-Mustapha, has reacted to postulations by former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his famous letter to President Goodluck Jonathan that he (Al-Mustapha) was released from prison to help the president train assassins to eliminate opposition politicians.

Speaking to the Hausa Service of the Voice of America, VOA, monitored in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Al-Mustapha challenged the ex-president to a public debate on the allegations he raised.

Mr. Al-Mustapha said he was away in India receiving treatment for injuries he sustained while in detention during the administrations of Abdulsalami Abubakar and Mr. Obasanjo when he heard of the allegations via a letter published exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES.

"I read Obasanjo's letter and subsequent comments by Nigerians, I would have responded immediately, but I was away in India receiving treatment," he said.
He also said although his name was not mentioned in the letter, he was sure the former president was referring to him.

"If he has anything to say on me, he should mention me directly or even challenge me and not make allusions," Mr. Al-Mustapha said.
The former presidential security chief challenged Mr. Obasanjo to publicly ask him anything; saying he would provide him with answers.

Mr. Al-Mustapha swore that the allegation that he is being used by Mr. Jonathan to train assassins is false. He said he has always been in the vanguard of coming to the aide of people from the north to be recruited into the military and para-military agencies; and would therefore never involve himself in anything that would hurt the region.

"Perhaps it is Obasanjo and his cronies that are planning what he was insinuating," he added.
I have forgiven all

Mr. Al-Mustapha said he had decided to forgive all those who had a hand in his incarceration when he was being tried for the murder of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Kudirat Abiola. He was initially convicted for the murder by a Lagos High Court but was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal.

He, however, added that such people, including Mr. Obasanjo failed to accept that fact and still harbour fears about him and what he knows about them.

"I urge everyone to pray for Obasanjo to accept my challenge for a public debate so that the truth will come out," he said.

Mr. Al-Mustapha said he is focused on helping Nigeria find its rhythm by uniting the people, especially the youth and the poor.

"From 1974 to the present, a lot of things are buried with all sorts of lies. But all would be revealed one day," Mr. Al-Mustapha said.