Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, says he pleaded with late Gen. Sani Abacha to not execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for alleged coup plot in 1995.
Gowon mentioned this on the maiden version of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Reward Pageant organised by the Plateau State Authorities.
The Information Company of Nigeria studies that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Gen. Sani Abacha and convicted of being a part of deliberate coup to overthrow his authorities.
Obasanjo, despite pleading harmless to the coup, was sentenced to dying.
He spent three years in jail earlier than he was launched in 1998 after the dying of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that yr.
Whereas Gowon was the Particular Visitor of Honour on the occasion, Obasanjo was the Visitor of Honour.
“I wrote a letter to Abacha, I pleaded with him that God made him a pacesetter to do good and never evil.
“I despatched my spouse with the letter in the midst of the evening to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a factor shouldn’t occur.
“I’m glad that quickly after that, issues modified, and never solely that Obasanjo left jail, he grew to become our president in 1999.
“That is one thing that solely prayers and sincerity can do; I’m completely happy that at this time myself and Obasanjo are right here to have a good time the unity of Plateau,” Gowon mentioned.
The previous Head of State mentioned Plateau had gone via myriad safety challenges, therefore the carol supplied an appropriate avenue for the individuals to commune.
He recommended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the assorted initiatives aimed toward selling peaceable coexistence among the many individuals.
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