Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has revealed how he personally pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha, in writing, not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for alleged coup plot in 1995.
In a swift reaction, Obasanjo thanked Gowon for appealing to Abacha for his release from prison, saying he was not aware that Gowon personally pleaded for his freedom.
Gowon said this on Friday night at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau State Government.
Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by General Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
Obasanjo, in spite of pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death.
He spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of General Abacha on June 8 of that year.
While Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil.
“I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a thing should not happen.
“I’m glad that soon after that, things changed, and not only that Obasanjo left prison, he became our president in 1999.
“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do; I’m happy that today myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau,” he said.
Gowon also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.
The head of state said that the state had gone through myriads of security challenges, hence the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.
He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo on Saturday thanked Gowon for writing a personal letter to the late Abacha to appeal for his release from prison.
Describing General Gowon as his boss, Obasanjo said: “I have to thank you my boss. Yesterday (Friday), you gave us a revelation. When I came out of prison, I had the opportunity to go round the world thanking friends that appealed and prayed for my release from prison.
“I did that based on what I heard when I was in prison and when I came out, of friends who contributed to appeal and pray for my release. I did not know that you wrote a personal letter to appeal for my release until you said it yesterday. I thank you for that.”
Seriki Adinoyi
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