Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations of the Foreign Ministry on the Release of General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Other Detainees

June 17, 1998

1. On June 15, the Nigerian military government (General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Head of State, and the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC)), decided to release nine detainees including General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria. Japan welcomes the decision since we regard the release as significant progress in human rights in Nigeria. On the other hand, Mr. Moshood Abiola, former candidate for president, who is said to have won the 1993 presidential election, was not included in the list of detainees to be released. We hope that Mr. Abiola and others will be released promptly.
   
   
2. Japan has been requesting the Nigerian military government to show the highest regard for human rights and democracy and take measures directed toward peaceful and early democratization. We strongly hope for the prompt release of the remaining political detainees, and the implementation of the transition process to civilian rule according to the present schedule and by democratic means.