Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo recently shared a powerful story about how he almost lost his life in prison along with Chief MKO Abiola and General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. He said that only the special grace of God saved him from a deadly plan during their imprisonment.
At an event in Ogbor Uvuru, Aboh Mbaise in Imo State, Obasanjo explained that the man who arrested them had openly said none of them would leave prison alive. This was meant to help that man keep control of the country by removing his rivals.
When I was arrested, the man who arrested me, I thought he was making a mistake. He had decided that some of us must be liquidated if he has to be in power permanently. There I was, but then, initially I was confused, I had not done anything wrong. Was it a mistake?
’When I realised that it wasn’t a mistake, I was full of prayers, including praying as Stephen prayed but amended my own prayer somewhat. I said whether they know what they are doing or they do not know what they are doing, God forgive them.
“I resigned myself into the hands of God and the man who arrested us boasted that three of us will not come out of the detention or prison alive – that MKO Abiola will not come out alive, that Shehu Yar’Adua will not come out alive and that Olusegun Obasanjo will not come out alive.
‘’Two of the three he had planned not to come out alive did not come out alive, I did come out alive not because of my power but the special grace of God.”
Obasanjo said his life is proof that God has been very kind to him. He said, “If anyone can say they have seen God’s amazing grace, it is me. God has taken special care of me.”
He also recalled a time in 1959 when he attended a training course in Ghana with eight other Nigerians. Now, only two people from that group are still alive.
Obasanjo made sure to say that he is not disrespecting those who have passed away. He prayed that their souls rest in peace. He said this story only shows how God’s grace has protected him, but that does not mean he is better than those who died.
During the event, Obasanjo also showed respect to the 104-year-old mother of philanthropist Obioma Success Akagburuonye. He knelt before her, saying he wanted to receive the blessing of a long life.
This story reminds us about the power of faith and the importance of hope, even in very hard times.
