Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has shared a pivotal moment in history, revealing his role in saving former President Olusegun Obasanjo from execution in 1995.
Gowon recounted his intervention during a Christmas carol and praise festival organised by the Plateau State Government in Jos on Friday.
At the time, Obasanjo had been accused of plotting a coup against the regime of General Sani Abacha. Despite denying the charges, he was convicted and sentenced to death.
Reflecting on the tense period, Gowon explained that he reached out to Abacha, urging him to reconsider.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha, pleading with him that God made him a leader to do good, not evil,” Gowon said. He disclosed that his wife delivered the letter to Abacha late at night, carrying his heartfelt plea to spare Obasanjo’s life.
The former leader expressed relief that the situation took a different turn, with Obasanjo not only released from prison after Abacha’s death in 1998 but later becoming Nigeria’s president in 1999.
“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do,” Gowon remarked, adding that the moment symbolised unity and divine intervention.
