Exclusive: Obasanjo Reveals Abacha’s Deadly Plan To Eliminate Nigeria’s Key Leaders

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has shared his harrowing experience of narrowly escaping an assassination plot masterminded by the late General Sani Abacha. He recalled how he, alongside General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and business tycoon Chief M.K.O. Abiola, were arrested and detained under Abacha’s regime. Obasanjo credited his survival to what he called the “special grace of God.”

Speaking at Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, on Sunday, Obasanjo recounted how Abacha had openly declared that the three prominent figures would not leave prison alive. This, he said, was part of Abacha’s strategy to eliminate them and secure his hold on power indefinitely.

He explained, “When I was arrested, I initially thought it was a mistake. The man who arrested me had decided that some of us must be eliminated for him to maintain power permanently. At first, I was confused because I had done nothing wrong. Was it really a mistake?

“But when I realized it wasn’t, I turned to prayer, much like Stephen did, asking God to forgive those who might or might not know what they were doing.

“I surrendered myself into God’s hands. The man who arrested us boasted that none of us three would survive detention — that M.K.O. Abiola and Shehu Yar’Adua would not come out alive, and neither would I.

“Two of the three did not survive, but I was spared—not by my own power, but by the special grace of God.”

Emphasizing his survival as a testament to divine mercy, Obasanjo said, “If anyone can claim to have experienced the amazing grace of God, it is me. I believe God has been especially kind in protecting me.”

He also reflected on a course he attended in Ghana in 1959, noting that of the nine Nigerians who succeeded, only two are still alive today.

“I am not belittling those who passed away; may their souls rest in peace. I share this to highlight God’s grace in my life, because survival in such circumstances is not about being better than others. All I can do is continue to give thanks for His mercy.”