(20 Jul 1998) English/Nat
Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo met Britain's foreign secretary Robin Cook in London on Monday and called for democracy to be quickly restored in his country.
Obasanjo was released from prison in June, following the death of former Nigerian strongman Sani Abacha.
His meeting with Robin Cook came as the country's new military ruler, General Abdulsalam Abubakar announced the pardon of ten more people sentenced over the same 1995 coup plot - and ordered their immediate release.
Later on Monday in Lagos, Abubakar is expected to announce political reforms which will bring democracy to Nigeria.
Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo made Britain his first official stop following his release from prison last month.
He arrived in London on Monday morning from South Africa - where he was a guest at Nelson Mandela's wedding.
His meeting with Robin Cook came as the country's new military ruler, General Abdulsalam Abubakar announced the pardon of ten more people sentenced over the same 1995 coup plot - and ordered their immediate release.
They included journalists Ben Charles Obi, George Mbah and Kunle Ajibade.
As well, Abubakar announced a posthumous pardon for former Nigerian number two, retired Major-General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, who died in prison in December.
He called on General Abdulsalam Abubakar to restore democracy as soon as possible.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I hope that his address this evening will indicate to all Nigerians and to the world that we have to stay only minimum short period to bring about democracy, minimum short period to bring about democracy."
SUPER CAPTION: Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo
After his release Obasanjo said he was jailed because he had spoken out against a murderous, oppressive regime and he detailed the flaws in his trial point by point in a lengthy speech.
He said while he held no animosity against those who had "unlawfully" contrived to put him in prison, he slammed what he called the kangaroo court that had convicted him of coup plotting.
Obasanjo also called on the new government to try and rebuild Nigeria in the spirit of reconciliation.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Nigeria has been traumatised, all of us we have got what we did not expect, I believe we must learn the right lesson and we are learning the right lesson that in spite of those who compromise their position, those who betrayed the country there are many Nigerians who still stood firm for what is right for what is morally right and correct and my own hope is built on those that you may call the islands of integrity in Nigeria and that also strengthens my own hope for the unity of Nigeria."
SUPERCAPTION: Former Nigerian head of state Olusegun Obasanjo
Obasanjo was head of state in the 1970s.
He was sentenced to death for allegedly plotting a coup against the hated General Sani Abacha, even though he was in Copenhagen at the time.
Obasanjo was released from jail in June along with seven other detainees.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...