Mark mourns as Obasanjo’s ex-CoS, Abdullahi Mohammed, dies at 86

By Aminu Garko

Retired Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed, a former Chief of Staff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo is dead. The distinguished retired General was reported dead on Wednesday after a brief illness.

The late Mohammed was a military governor of old Benue-Plateau State between 1975 and 1976 during the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed.

He also headed the National Security Organization now Department of State Services, from 1976 to 1979.

The late General, a native of Ilorin, Kwara State, was the National Security Adviser to General Abdusalami Abubakar from 1998 to 1999.

Mohammed served as chief of staff to presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from 1999 to 2008.

In a statement on Tuesday, the National chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has lamented the death of Mohammed.

Mark said that Mohammed was a seasoned military officer, astute administrator, and exemplary public servant whose career spanned several decades of dedicated service to the nation.

Mark recalled that the deceased served with distinction as Chief of Staff to the President from 1999 to 2007.

He played a pivotal role in the coordination of government policies and the consolidation of Nigeria’s democratic governance in the early years of the Fourth Republic”.

Mark stated that before Mohammed’s appointment as Chief of Staff to Obasanjo, he held various key positions in the Nigerian Armed Forces and in national security architecture, where he was widely respected for his discipline, professionalism, and deep commitment to national unity.

He said he received the news of Mohammed’s death with deep sorrow, describing him as “a patriot who gave his all in service to the nation and helped to lay the foundations for Nigeria’s democratic renewal at a critical period in our history.”

Mark extended his condolences to the family of the late General, former Obasanjo, the Nigerian Armed Forces, and the people of Kwara, praying that the Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and comfort those he left behind.

(NAN)