Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed gratitude to retired General Yakubu Gowon for his intervention in securing his release from execution during the regime of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha. Speaking in Plateau State over the weekend, Obasanjo revealed that he was unaware Gowon had written to Abacha, pleading for clemency on his behalf.
Gowon, reflecting on the events, explained how he sent a letter to Abacha through his wife, urging him to spare Obasanjo’s life. In the letter, Gowon reminded Abacha that God made him a leader to do good and not evil. The appeal was pivotal in ensuring Obasanjo’s survival after being sentenced over an alleged coup plot.
Obasanjo spent three years in prison before his release in 1998, following Abacha’s death. Gowon expressed his joy that Obasanjo not only regained his freedom but also went on to serve as Nigeria’s president in 1999, marking a significant chapter in the country’s democratic history.
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The touching exchange between the two statesmen highlights the critical role Gowon played in altering the course of Nigeria’s leadership trajectory and underscores the enduring impact of compassion in governance.
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