Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has revealed how he intervened to prevent the execution of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sentenced to death in 1995 for an alleged coup plot against the late General Sani Abacha’s regime.
Gowon made the disclosure during the maiden Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival, organized by the Plateau State Government.
He recounted sending a heartfelt letter to Abacha, appealing for clemency and urging him to use his leadership to “do good, not evil.”
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“I wrote a letter to Abacha and pleaded with him in God’s name not to execute Obasanjo. I sent my wife with the letter to him in the middle of the night in Abuja. Thankfully, soon after, things changed,” Gowon said.
Obasanjo, who maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, was arrested in 1995 and sentenced to death.
However, the sentence was commuted, and he spent three years in prison until his release in 1998, following Abacha’s death.
Gowon expressed gratitude for the eventual turn of events, noting that Obasanjo not only regained his freedom but also went on to serve as Nigeria’s president from 1999 to 2007. “This is something that only prayers and sincerity can achieve,” he remarked.
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Both Gowon and Obasanjo, special guests at the carol event, praised Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the initiative, emphasizing its role in fostering unity and peace in a state that has faced significant security challenges.
“The carol provides an opportunity for the people to come together, commune, and strengthen their bonds,” Gowon added, commending the governor’s efforts to promote peaceful coexistence.
The event served as a platform for reflection on the importance of unity and reconciliation, with both leaders urging Nigerians to prioritize peace and harmony.