Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has responded to former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd.), who claimed that he (Gowon) had pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha to spare his life.
Obasanjo was among those imprisoned by Abacha’s regime on charges of plotting a coup to overthrow him.
Speaking 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, Gowon said he pleaded with Abacha to spare Obasanjo.
In addition to Gowon and Obasanjo, dignitaries such as Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and former governors Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, and Boni Haruna (Adamawa State) were among those who attended the event, which took place from Friday to Sunday.
During his remarks about his efforts to prevent Obasanjo’s execution, Gowon explained that he wrote a letter to Abacha, urging him to remember that God had made him a leader to do good, not evil, and requested clemency for Obasanjo.
According to him, he sent the letter to Abacha through his (Gowon) wife to deliver to Abacha in Abuja in the night, adding that things took a different turn after that letter.
Gowon expressed his happiness that Obasanjo not only survived his three-year imprisonment but also went on to become the nation’s president in 1999, following his release after Abacha’s death in June 1998.
In response to Gowon’s revelation the following day at the same Christmas carol, Obasanjo said he was unaware of Gowon’s efforts until he mentioned them that day. He acknowledged that many people worked towards his release and, afterward, he made it a point to thank them both within the country and abroad.
“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.
Meanwhile, he thanked Mutfwang for his developmental efforts and peace initiative and urged him to continue to do more for the people of the state.
Recall that Obasanjo and former Head of State, Late Murtala Mohammed, overthrew Yakubu Gowon in a coup on July 29, 1975.
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