Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has revealed that he intervened with the late General Sani Abacha to prevent the execution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was accused of plotting a coup in 1995.
Gowon made the disclosure during the inaugural Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government.
It is on record that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 under the regime of Abacha and convicted of being involved in a coup plot to overthrow the government. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was sentenced to death. However, Obasanjo spent three years in prison before being released in 1998 following Abacha’s death on June 8 of that year.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Gowon recounted his efforts to save Obasanjo’s life. Obasanjo, who attended the event as the Guest of Honour, was later elected Nigeria’s president in 1999.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil,” Gowon said. “I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja, urging him to reconsider. I am glad that shortly after, circumstances changed.”
Reflecting on Obasanjo’s eventual release and subsequent presidency, Gowon noted, “Not only did Obasanjo leave prison, but he also became our president in 1999. This is something that only prayers and sincerity can achieve. I am happy that today, both myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau.”
