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Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon has revealed how he pleaded with late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the alleged coup plot in 1995.
Gowon made this disclosure at the first edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government.
The Eastern Updates recalls that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Gen. Sani Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
Read Also: Why I paid Tribute To Gen. Gowon At 90, Peter Obi Explains
Obasanjo spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 after the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.
“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,” he said.
Former presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has expressed his reasoning for participating in the 90th birthday celebration of General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), joining other political leaders in the tribute.
In other news, like President Bola Tinubu and other prominent leaders, Obi has publicly celebrated the elder statesman, describing him as an extraordinary gentleman who has rendered commendable service to the nation throughout his career.
Obi’s perspective was not well-received among the Ndigbos, who contend that Gowon was responsible for the turmoil during the civil war, leading them to question the appropriateness of Obi’s admiration.
The civil war in Nigeria, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, was under the command of General Gowon, while the opposing Biafran forces were led by the late Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka “Emeka” Odumegwu Ojukwu, highlighting the duality of leadership during this critical period.In justifying his participation in the celebration of Gowon, Obi emphasized his belief in the power of forgiveness as a vital step toward healing historical wounds.
