How I Begged Abacha To Spare Obasanjo’s Life -Gowon

Former Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon has narrated how he begged late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1995.

Gowon said the begging was warranted by an alleged involvement of the elder statesman in alleged coup plot that year

He made the recall while speaking at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government.

Gowon who was Special Guest of Honour, narrated that he had to send his wife to the late military head of state to beg for Obasanjo’s life

“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.

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Gowon who was also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.

The former head of state said that the state had gone through a myriad of security challenges; hence, the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.

Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour at the event.

The Eagle reports that the interdenominational unity Christmas carols and praise festival is  organised by the Plateau State Government in collaboration with the Plateau State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Its aim is to unite the people under the banner of God through songs of praise and worship.