In an interview on SYMFONI, former President Olusegun Obasanjo spoke about his traumatic experience during the military rule of the late General Sani Abacha.
Obasanjo described his survival and eventual release from prison as a result of divine intervention.
He shared, “I was a victim of a military dictator, and my presence here today is due to God’s grace, as he (Abacha) told several people that three of us were in detention or prison, and that three of us would never be released.”
The former president reflected on how Abacha’s statement became a harsh reality for most of his fellow inmates.
Of the three political prisoners mentioned, two never regained their freedom.
Emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, Obasanjo said, “Two didn’t come out. I’m not mocking them. I’m just saying by the grace of God. I was the only one who came out of the three that he said will not come out alive.”
Obasanjo’s remarks emphasize the extent of oppression and personal risk encountered by political rivals during Abacha’s regime.
He credited his survival entirely to divine intervention, which sharply contrasted with the fate of others who died while imprisoned.
He indicated that this experience served as both a personal account and a reminder of the grim period Nigeria faced under military governance.
His comments also highlighted the unpredictable nature of existence under authoritarian rule, where survival often hinged on factors beyond one’s control.
For Obasanjo, this ordeal was not just a test of endurance but also a testament to God’s mercy, positioning him as the only survivor among those Abacha had sentenced to death in prison.