General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau

Former National Security Advisor

Commentary: Gusau, a former General, has been a key player in Nigerian intelligence for over three decades and is well respected in international intelligence and diplomatic circles. He is an important figure in Nigerian history: On 17 November 1993, along with Sani Abacha and Oladipo Diya, he marched into the offices of Chief Shonekan (made President by a departing Ibrahim Babangida) and asked for his resignation. Gusau later fell out with Abacha - the two had never been great friends.

Gusau was also instrumental in supporting Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency and in dissuading him from a third term in office. He emerged from the shadows to launch a bid for the presidency in 2007, having resigned as National Security Advisor a few months earlier. He was then re-appointed as National Security Advisor by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010, before resigning, again, to contend in the 2011 Presidential elections.