Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has responded to General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.) following Gowon’s revelation that he had intervened to prevent the execution of Obasanjo during General Sani Abacha’s regime.
Obasanjo was among those imprisoned by Abacha’s government in the late 1990s on charges related to an alleged coup attempt.
Speaking at the Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival in Jos, Plateau State, Gowon shared that he had written a personal letter to Abacha, asking for clemency on Obasanjo’s behalf.
Gowon explained that in his letter to Abacha, he emphasized that leaders are chosen by God to do good, not evil.
He also disclosed that he sent the letter through his wife to Abacha in the dead of the night, hoping to persuade him to spare Obasanjo’s life.
Gowon expressed his joy that Obasanjo was eventually released after three years in prison following Abacha’s death in 1998, and that Obasanjo later became Nigeria’s president in 1999.
Obasanjo, who was unaware of Gowon’s intervention until this revelation, expressed his gratitude at the carol event the following day.
He acknowledged Gowon’s efforts and thanked him for the letter, which he only learned about at the event.
“When I came out of prison, I had the opportunity to thank many people who contributed to my release, both within the country and internationally.
However, I did not know that you personally wrote to Abacha for my release until you mentioned it yesterday. I thank you for that,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo also took the opportunity to commend Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his developmental initiatives and peace efforts, urging him to continue working for the progress of the state.
It is worth noting that in 1975, Obasanjo and the late General Murtala Mohammed overthrew Gowon in a coup, a significant event in Nigeria’s military history.
