A former Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that he intervened on behalf of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sentenced to death by the late military dictator, General Sanni Abacha, over a phantom coup in 1995.
Gowon disclosed that he wrote a letter to Abacha, pleading with him not to execute Obasanjo.
He sent the letter through his wife in the middle of the night, urging Abacha to show mercy.
Fortunately, Obasanjo’s life was spared, and he was released from prison in 1998 after Abacha’s death.
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.
“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.”
The octagenarian expressed his gratitude that Obasanjo not only survived but also went on to become Nigeria’s president in 1999.
The erstwhile Head of State shared this experience at the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival in Plateau State, where he and Obasanjo were guests of honor.
While commending the state government for organizing the event, Gowon said it will promote unity and peaceful coexistence in the state.
Persecondnews recalls that Obasanjo, who was military Head of State from February 1976 to October 1979, was arrested and convicted by a military tribunal over a phantom coup in 1995.
Obasanjo has pleaded innocence of the offence but was sentenced to death by the Abacha junta.
Obasanjo spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of the military dictator (Abacha) on June 8, 1998.
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