Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has publicly thanked General Yakubu Gowon for his intervention during his (Obasanjo’s) imprisonment under General Sani Abacha’s administration.
Gowon disclosed on Friday how he wrote to Abacha, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared, a fact that Obasanjo was unaware of until Gowon revealed it at an interdenominational Christmas Carol organised by the Plateau State government.
Gowon had revealed that he wrote a letter to Abacha and sent it through his wife, Victoria, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared.
“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 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.
Gowon 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 myriads of security challenges, hence the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.
However, on Saturday, Obasanjo expressed his gratitude to Gowon, acknowledging that he had been thanking those who had appealed for his release, but he was not aware of Gowon’s personal efforts.
While also commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for organising the event, which brought people together in joyful worship, the former President emphasised the importance of faith and community in overcoming challenges.
He said, “I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday, he gave us a revelation, and I have to thank you especially for that. Because when I came out of prison, I had the opportunity, both while I was in prison and after my release, of hearing about friends inside and outside who contributed to appeals and prayed for my release.
“And I went around the world, thanking those who had been pointed out to me as having appealed and prayed for my release from prison. I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday. I thank you for that.”
Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by General Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.
Obasanjo, in spite of pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death.
He spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of General Abacha on June 8 of that year.
