Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has unveiled a gripping behind-the-scenes account of how he played a crucial role in saving former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the deadly clutches of the late General Sani Abacha's regime.
In a recent revelation, Gowon detailed the dangerous political climate of the mid-1990s when Abacha’s military dictatorship clamped down on perceived dissenters.
Obasanjo, a prominent figure at the time, was accused of being part of an alleged coup plot, leading to his arrest and subsequent death sentence.
Gowon disclosed that he used his international connections and personal influence to rally global leaders and organizations, urging them to pressure the Abacha government to reconsider its stance. "I couldn't sit idly by while a fellow leader and patriot faced such injustice," Gowon stated.
His efforts reportedly contributed to the eventual commutation of Obasanjo’s death sentence to a lengthy imprisonment, from which he was later released.
The revelation sheds light on the complex interplay of political survival during one of Nigeria's most turbulent eras, highlighting Gowon's role as a quiet but effective mediator.
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