Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, revealed that he personally pleaded with the late Gen. Sani Abacha in 1995 to spare former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s life, following his arrest for an alleged coup plot.
Gowon shared this during the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Obasanjo was arrested by Gen. Abacha in 1995, accused of plotting to overthrow the government. Despite maintaining his innocence, Obasanjo was sentenced to death, but he was eventually released in 1998 following Abacha’s death.
At the event, where Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour and Obasanjo the Guest of Honour, Gowon reflected on his efforts to intervene on Obasanjo’s behalf.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha, urging him to consider that God had made him a leader to do good, not evil,” Gowon recounted. “I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abuja, pleading with him to spare Obasanjo’s life.”
Gowon expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, noting that soon after his intervention, Obasanjo was freed from prison and later became Nigeria’s president in 1999. He attributed the turn of events to divine intervention, prayer, and sincerity.
Gowon also expressed gratitude to the Plateau State Government for organizing the event, emphasizing that the carol would help foster unity among the people. He praised the state for overcoming its security challenges and highlighted Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s efforts in promoting peace and coexistence.
The event served as a platform for reflecting on the importance of unity and the role of leadership in fostering national peace.
