Nigeria’s newly appointed Minister of Defence, Brigadier-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) played an active role in the General Sani Abacha military regime, emerging details have revealed.
A lawyer, Magashi is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
Soon after Abacha seized power in November 1993, Magashi was given command of the Brigade of Guards, which was tasked with Abacha’s security. He was a member of the Abacha Military Caucus and was active in the process which forced the resignation of the Shonekan-led Interim National Government (ING) on 17th November 1993.
He thereafter remained a strong Abacha loyalist and served in the committee that issued a report titled The Way Forward with recommendations for a military regime as an alternative for Nigeria following the annulment of MKO Abiola’s June 12 mandate.
Magashi subsequently served as GOC 2 Mechanised Infantry Division, Ibadan, in 1996 and thereafter as the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was compulsorily retired in 1999 after democracy was restored.
In 2002, Magashi transformed into a politician, becoming the legal advisor to the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).
President Buhari named Magashi Nigeria’s Minister of Defence on Wednesday, 21st August, 2019.
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