How I begged Abacha not to kill Obasanjo —Gen. Gowon

Former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon has disclosed the crucial role he played in preventing the late General Sani Abacha from executing former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the 1995 phantom coup plot.

Speaking at the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau State Government, Gowon recounted his intervention to save Obasanjo’s life.

Revealing the extraordinary measures he took, Gowon said, “I wrote a letter to Abacha. I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil. I had to send my wife with a letter to General Sani Abacha in Abuja in the middle of the night, and she travelled to deliver it. Such a thing should not have happened. I am glad that shortly afterward, things changed. Not only that, but he also left prison and eventually became our head of state.”

Gowon emphasised that the eventual release of Obasanjo and his rise to leadership was nothing short of divine intervention. “This is something only God could have achieved—through prayers, sincerity, and faith. I thank God that, in the end, what happened brought us to where we are today,” he added.

The former leader expressed grave concern over the persistent violence and disunity in Nigeria, lamenting that the unity he fought for during the civil war is now under threat. He called for an end to the crises plaguing the nation.

“The crises Nigeria faces today are deeply disturbing. After the Civil War, I prayed to God that we would never again experience the kind of suffering we endured during that period. Yet, here we are with unrest in various forms. I urge young people, particularly those who may have contributed to the challenges, to turn their hearts to God. May He reform them and make them contributors to peace and unity in Nigeria.”

Gowon also addressed the recurring violence in Plateau State, urging all residents to embrace peace regardless of their faiths. “I want to ensure peace in Plateau. All of you—Nigerians and the people of Plateau—whether you are Christian or Muslim, should understand this. I recall with pain that peace has often been disrupted, and it pains me so much that we’ve endured cycles of unfortunate incidents, killing one another regardless of our faiths. This must stop.”

He described the Christmas season as an opportunity for reflection and unity, urging citizens to extend the message of peace across Plateau and beyond.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who also spoke at the event, hailed the festival as a unifying moment for Plateau State. He emphasized the need for collective action to achieve the state’s prophetic destiny.

“The Plateau Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival marks the beginning of a journey to unity, progress, and the fulfilment of Plateau’s divine destiny,” the governor remarked. “For too long, we have fought many battles, both internal and external, but the time has come—and the time is now—to unite as a people. God has blessed this land abundantly, and it is our collective responsibility to harness these blessings for the greater good.”

Mutfwang reaffirmed the state’s vast potential and called on citizens to work towards a brighter future. “Plateau is a land of blessing—fertile, resource-rich, and strategically positioned by God. By His grace, Plateau will rise as a beacon of hope and prosperity, fulfilling its destiny as a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden.”

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