Gowon has recounted how he stopped Abacha from executing Obasanjo.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that 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 for an alleged coup plot in 1995.
This Nigeria news platform recalls that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
The ex-President spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.
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Speaking at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government, Gowon said he wrote 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.
The head of state 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.
