“I didn’t know Gowon intervened to spare my life” – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday made a startling revelation, stating that he was unaware his predecessor in office, General Yakubu Gowon, had pleaded with the late General Sani Abacha not to execute him after he (Obasanjo) was implicated in an attempt to topple the Abacha administration.

Gowon had disclosed on Friday, during an interdenominational Christmas Carol organised by the Plateau State government at the 10 Commandments Centre, Doi, in Jos South, that he wrote a letter to Abacha and sent it through his wife, Victoria, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared.

Speaking at the continuation of the event on Saturday, Obasanjo expressed surprise that Gowon, whom he referred to as his boss, had intervened on his behalf.

He said, “I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday, he gave us here 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.

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“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.”

The former president also expressed gratitude to Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the initiative in organising the programme, describing it as divinely inspired. He thanked the governor for his support.

Obasanjo, who emphasised the importance of joyful worship, referenced a biblical Psalm about making a joyful noise to the Lord and led the congregation in a rendition of Amazing Grace.

He expressed gratitude for the support of the community and highlighted the power of faith, stating that it underscored the belief that divine intervention plays a role in personal and communal initiatives. He encouraged joyful expressions of worship as a means of connecting with God.

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