Obasanjo survival under Abacha
“Why I Survived While Abiola and Yar’Adua Died” Obasanjo’s Chilling Account of Abacha’s Death Plot
Ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo recounts how he narrowly escaped death under Abacha’s dictatorship while MKO Abiola and Shehu Yar’Adua perished. Faith, fate, and Nigeria’s dark past collide.
Imagine being on a hit list under a military regime, locked away in a dark cell, and told you won’t live to see freedom.
This was Obasanjo’s reality under the rule of General Sani Abacha. Today, his survival tells a gripping story of grace, destiny, and a nation’s turning point.
Abacha’s Reign of Fear: A Dictator’s Deadly Grip
Between 1993 and 1998, General Sani Abacha ruled Nigeria with an iron fist.
Known for his intolerance of opposition, Abacha unleashed the full force of military brutality on anyone who challenged his authority.
During this dark era, three prominent figures became targets: Chief MKO Abiola, General Shehu Yar’Adua, and Olusegun Obasanjo.
According to Obasanjo, Abacha had one goal eliminate them all.
“Abiola will die, Yar’Adua will die, and Obasanjo will die,” Abacha reportedly said.
These weren’t just threats they became tragic realities for two out of the three.
Faith Behind Bars: Obasanjo’s Mental and Spiritual Battle
When Obasanjo was arrested and imprisoned, he had no illusions about what lay ahead.
He understood Abacha’s reputation and knew that his survival would depend on something greater than political connections it would depend on faith.
Cut off from the world and isolated in prison, Obasanjo found strength in prayer and reflection.
“I surrendered my fate to God. I told Him, if this is how it ends, so be it. But if you save me, I will serve.”
This spiritual resilience became his anchor. Where others broke under pressure, Obasanjo clung to belief.
The Tragic Ends of Abiola and Yar’Adua
General Shehu Yar’Adua died in prison under suspicious circumstances, and not long after, MKO Abiola died mysteriously on the brink of his release.
Their deaths shocked the nation and intensified questions about Abacha’s actions and the international silence that followed.
These losses created a void in Nigeria’s democratic movement. While they were silenced, Obasanjo survived. To this day, he sees it as divine design not superiority.
“It’s not because I was better. It was purely by grace,” he noted.
Read also: June 12 Annulment: Lamido Links Election Cancellation to N45bn Debt
Survival and Second Chances: The Return of Obasanjo
Obasanjo’s freedom came after Abacha’s sudden death in 1998. What followed was remarkable within a year, Obasanjo was elected Nigeria’s president in the transition to civilian rule.
He went from prisoner to president, turning what could have been a tragic end into a triumphant return.
His presidency laid the foundation for economic reforms, anti-corruption drives, and Nigeria’s global repositioning.
For many, his leadership symbolized hope a second chance not only for him but also for the nation.
The Legacy of MKO Abiola and Shehu Yar’Adua Lives On
Despite their deaths, Abiola and Yar’Adua’s legacies endure. Abiola remains a symbol of democratic struggle.
June 12, the date of the annulled election he won, is now Nigeria’s official Democracy Day.
Yar’Adua’s principles and public service also shaped his younger brother, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who later became Nigeria’s president in 2007.
Obasanjo consistently honors both men in his speeches.
“They died for what they believed. I lived to continue what they started,” he often says.
Church Dedication and the Message of Grace
Speaking during the dedication of the Noah’s Ark Church in Imo State, Obasanjo shared how his life mirrors the biblical story of Noah a man saved for a greater purpose.
“This building is a symbol. Like Noah, I survived the storm not by my doing but through divine will,” he said.
The church was built by philanthropist Obioma Akagburuonye, whose 104-year-old mother received a kneeling tribute from Obasanjo during the event.
“I bowed to honor her longevity and the blessings she carries,” he explained.
National Reflection: June 12 and the Price of Freedom
Every June 12, Nigerians pause to remember the cost of democracy. The nation honors Abiola, but the survival of Obasanjo adds emotional and political depth to the memory.
His story is not just about personal escape it’s about how a nation wrestled itself from dictatorship.
“If God had not spared me, would I be here to share this message?” Obasanjo asked.
His survival brings the past into the present, reminding Nigerians of the sacrifices that birthed their freedom.
Final Reflections: Why Obasanjo’s Story Still Matters
In a country where history is often forgotten, Obasanjo’s survival is a living reminder. His journey from near-death to leadership proves that purpose often lies beyond the pain.
“Sometimes God keeps you not for you, but for the people you are meant to serve,” he concluded.
As Nigeria continues to evolve, his account remains a lesson that out of chaos, grace can still prevail.
What does Obasanjo’s survival mean for Nigeria’s history and future?
Share your thoughts in the comments and follow NIGPOST for more powerful stories from Nigeria’s past and present.
Author: Rotimi Adegbite
Date: May 27, 2025
Leave a Reply