Barely 24 hours after former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon said that he (Gowon) pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the latter has replied, insisting that he did not know that such intervention was made on his behalf by Gowon.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Barely 24 hours after former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon said that he (Gowon) pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the latter has replied, insisting that he did not know that such intervention was made on his behalf.
Gowon had during the first ever Plateau Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carols and Praise Festival at 10 Commandments Prayer Altar in Du, Jos South LGA of the state, at the weekend, said he pleaded with Abacha to spare Obasanjo.
Obasanjo, accused of conspiring to overthrow Abacha’s government, was arrested and convicted despite maintaining his innocence. He was sentenced to death but served three years in prison before being released in 1998, following Abacha’s death.
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Gowon: How I begged Abacha not to eliminate Obasanjo
Recalling the incident, Gowon said, “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.
He then expressed his joy that Obasanjo did not only leave prison after spending three years in prison before his release following the death of Abacha in June 1998, but went on to become the nation’s president in 1999.
Reacting to Gowon’s revelation the next day (at the same Christmas carol), Obasanjo said he was not aware that Gowon made such effort until he mentioned it that day at the carol.
He said he knew that many people made different efforts for his release and after that, he went round to thank them within and outside the country.
“I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday he made a revelation and I have to thank you specifically for that. When I came out of prison, I had the opportunity to thank friends, inside and outside the country who contributed to appeal and pray for my release from prison.
“And I went round the world thanking those that have been appealing and praying for my release from prison. But I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday; I thank you for that,” Obasanjo said.