How my pleading with Abacha saved Obasanjo’s execution in 1995 – Gowon

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, the former Head of State, has explained how his pleading with late Gen. Sani Abacha saved the execution of the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1995.

Gowon, while stating this at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government, said he pleaded with Abacha to forgive Obasanjo over the alleged coup plot.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)reports that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Gen. Sani Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.

Obasanjo, despite pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death, where he spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.

While Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour, respectively.

“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, but 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 myriad security challenges, hence the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.

He commended Gov. Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.

NAN