How I sent my wife to beg Abacha over Obasanjo’s seath sentence in 1995 coup allegation – Gowon

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), has disclosed that he personally appealed to late General Sani Abacha to spare the life of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sentenced to death over an alleged coup plot in 1995.

Gowon made this revelation during the inaugural Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organized by the Plateau State Government.

Obasanjo was arrested and convicted for allegedly plotting to overthrow Abacha’s regime. Despite maintaining his innocence, he was sentenced to death. However, Gowon’s intervention, alongside pressure from other prominent figures and international communities, played a role in saving Obasanjo from execution.

‘I sent my wife to Abacha’

While Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour.

“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.

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 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.