How I begged Abacha not to kill Obasanjo – Gowon opens up

Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon has recounted how he pleaded with the late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo over a coup allegation in 1995.

TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) recalls that Obasanjo, in 1995,  was arrested, convicted and sentenced to death, despite denying the allegations.

Speaking at the inaugural interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau State Government, Gowon disclosed how he made huge efforts to appeal to Abacha’s conscience over Obasanjo’s case.

Gowon said he made the appeal in a letter to Gen. Abacha pleading with him to stop the execution of Obasanjo.

He 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.” 

Gowon and Obasanjo, who were both special guests of honour at the event, also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.

Gowon said that the state had gone through many security challenges. Hence, the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.

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