Annan urges military ruler to free leading politician

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, yesterday asked Nigeria's new military ruler to free a leading politician, Chief Moshood…

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, yesterday asked Nigeria's new military ruler to free a leading politician, Chief Moshood Abiola, as pressure mounted on the new regime to restore democracy.

A UN official said that Mr Annan urged Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, when they met at his Aso Rock presidential villa, to release Mr Abiola who was detained in 1994.

"As you know, the secretary-general has been talking to the government here for over a year about releasing all political prisoners, and yes the subject of Chief Abiola came up," said UN spokesman, Mr Fred Eckhard.

"Is he going to meet him? I cannot rule that out but I cannot make an announcement on that yet," he added.

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As well as Mr Abiola, they discussed Nigeria's "transition to democracy" and regional security matters, the spokesman said.

Speculation has grown sharply in recent days about an imminent release for Mr Abiola, the apparent winner of 1993 elections declared void by the military.

The government has been dropping hints that it is keen to release him if it can get a commitment he will not claim the Nigerian presidency, the declaration he made in 1994 which led to his jailing.

Mr Abiola's eldest daughter, Lola Abiola-Edewor, said on Monday her family still had no news of a possible release but were hoping he would be freed soon.

Since he took power on June 9th, following the death from a suspected heart attack of his predecessor Gen Sani Abacha, Gen Abubakar, a former chief of defence staff and career soldier, has delighted diplomats by releasing nearly 30 political detainees and holding talks with the opposition.

If Mr Abiola is released, pressure will continue for wider political changes.

The visit by Mr Annan is the most high-profile visit to Nigeria in years and follows visits by British and Commonwealth officials.

The British Foreign Office minister, Mr Tony Lloyd, met Gen Abubakar last week and the Commonwealth leader, Mr Emeka Anyaoku, is to meet him tomorrow, again to press for the release of Mr Abiola and other prisoners and political progress.

Military regimes have been in charge of Nigeria for all but 10 years since it gained independence from Britain on October 1st, 1960. Many people want the military to step down on October 1st, as promised by Gen Abacha, but quite who they could hand power over to is cause of much debate. Gen Abacha had scheduled elections for August 1st, but he was the only nominee and since his death no alternatives have been put forward.

Last Friday, a group of 34 leading politicians urged Gen Abubakar to form a one-year interim government, perhaps with a key role for Chief Abiola, to oversee the necessary steps if there is to be a real election in this vast country.