Gowon recounts how he asked Abacha to spare Obasanjo’s life

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has disclosed how he pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha to spare the life of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sentenced to death for an alleged coup plot in 1995.

Gowon shared the revelation during the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government.

Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by General Abacha’s regime and convicted of being involved in a coup to overthrow the government. Despite maintaining his innocence, Obasanjo was sentenced to death. He spent three years in prison before his release in 1998 following Abacha’s death on June 8 of that year.

Speaking at the event, where he served as the Special Guest of Honour while Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour, Gowon recounted his efforts to save Obasanjo.

“I wrote a letter to Abacha, I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil,” Gowon said. 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 added.

Gowon also expressed his gratitude to the Plateau State Government for organizing the carol, emphasizing its role in fostering unity among the people. He acknowledged the security challenges the state had faced and noted that the event provided an avenue for the citizens to commune.