Yakubu Gowon
How I pleaded with Abacha not to execute Obasanjo- Gowon
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that he pleaded with the late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for alleged coup plot in 1995.
Gowon made the revelation at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau State Government.
Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Gen. Sani Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
Obasanjo, despite pleading innocent of the coup, was sentenced to death.
He spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.
While Gowon was the special guest of honour at the event, Obasanjo was the guest of honour.
The former head of state 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 am 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 also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.
He noted that the crises Nigeria faces today are deeply disturbing. “After the civil war, I prayed to God that we would never again experience the kind of suffering we endured during that period. Yet, here we are with unrest in various forms”, he said.
“I urge young people, particularly those who may have contributed to the challenges, to turn their hearts to God. May He reform them and make them contributors to peace and unity in Nigeria,” he added.
The former Head of State expressed regrets that the unity he fought for during the civil war is gradually eluding Nigeria.
He however said that with the continued prayers of men of goodwill, the country will soon witness peace and tranquility.