Former military Head of State General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) recently spoke with Daily Trust, recounting the events of his tenure in office, including the fall of his administration. Gowon discussed some of the difficulties he encountered and his responses to claims that a coup was being planned against him while reflecting on the political turmoil of the era.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Gowon revealed that he was informed by his security team that a coup might be in the works, involving individuals close to him. He was initially told that two specific people were at the center of the plot, both of whom held key positions within his government. These revelations raised suspicions, but he found it difficult to believe that those who had been part of his inner circle could betray him.
The two individuals implicated were significant figures in Gowon’s administration. Despite this, Gowon expressed hesitation in fully accepting the claims against them, as both hailed from his home state of Benue-Plateau. Their shared origins and background complicated his ability to immediately act on the information he had received.
Adding to his uncertainty was the fact that these individuals were also Christians, a commonality that Gowon suggested influenced his reluctance to treat them as immediate threats. He struggled with the notion that people so closely tied to him, by both geography and faith, could be orchestrating his removal from office.
Gowon made efforts to investigate further, trying to reach one of the individuals involved, but was ultimately unable to make contact. The other person involved vehemently denied any involvement, making it even more challenging for Gowon to decipher the truth behind the allegations.
In reflecting on the coup that ultimately led to his overthrow, Gowon expressed a sense of betrayal but also acknowledged the complexities of political loyalties and trust during a volatile period in Nigeria’s history.
According to him, “Who said I didn’t do anything about it?. When I was told by the security details that something like that was going to happen, the only two names I was given were people who were supposed to be very close to me – my commander, brigade of guards, Joe Garba and Tony Ochefu.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
