Gowon expressed gratitude that he and Obasanjo could now celebrate unity and peace in Plateau State, reflecting on the remarkable turn of events over the years.
Jos, Nigeria – Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has disclosed how he intervened to prevent the execution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the regime of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha.
Speaking at the inaugural Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival, organized by the Plateau State Government, Gowon recounted how he pleaded with Abacha to spare Obasanjo’s life following allegations of a coup plot in 1995.
The elder statesman revealed that he wrote a letter to Abacha, urging him to act in the interest of justice and compassion. “I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil,” Gowon said. He added that his wife personally delivered the letter to Abacha in Abuja in the middle of the night.
“I’m glad that soon after that, things changed, and not only did Obasanjo leave prison, but he also became our president in 1999,” Gowon stated, highlighting the power of prayer and sincerity in achieving positive outcomes.
Obasanjo, a former military head of state, was arrested in 1995 and accused of involvement in a plot to overthrow Abacha’s government. Despite denying the allegations, he was sentenced to death. He spent three years in prison before being released in 1998, following Abacha’s death on June 8 of that year.
Obasanjo later became Nigeria’s first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, leading the country for two terms from 1999 to 2007.
Gowon expressed gratitude that he and Obasanjo could now celebrate unity and peace in Plateau State, reflecting on the remarkable turn of events over the years.
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