Gowon Reveals How He Pleaded With Abacha To Spare Obasanjo’s Life

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has narrated how he intervened to save the life of former President Olusegun Obasanjo during the military regime of late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Gowon disclosed that he wrote a letter to Abacha and sent his wife with it in the middle of the night, pleading against Obasanjo’s execution for an alleged coup plot in 1995.

Speaking at the maiden Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government, Gowon said, “I pleaded with Abacha, reminding him that God made him a leader to do good, not evil. I’m glad things changed, and Obasanjo was released in 1998 after Abacha’s death.”

Obasanjo, who was sentenced to death for the alleged coup, was eventually freed and went on to become Nigeria’s president in 1999. Gowon credited prayers and sincerity for the miraculous turn of events.

The event, which had Obasanjo as the Guest of Honour, also served as a platform for Gowon to thank the Plateau State Government for initiatives promoting unity amid the state’s security challenges.