Ex- Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), said he pleaded with late Gen. Sani Abacha not to execute former President Olusegun Obasanjo for an alleged coup plot in 1995.

Gowon said this at the maiden edition of the Interdenominational Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival organised by the Plateau Government.

Recall that Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 by Abacha and convicted of being part of a planned coup to overthrow his government.

Obasanjo, in spite of pleading innocent to the coup, was sentenced to death.

He spent three years in prison before he was released in 1998 following the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8 of that year.

‘I sent my wife to Abacha’
While Gowon was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, Obasanjo was the Guest of Honour.

“I wrote a letter to Abacha; I pleaded with him that God made him a leader to do good and not evil.

“I sent my wife with the letter in the middle of the night to Abacha in Abuja; I pleaded with him that such a thing should not happen.

“I’m glad that soon after that, things changed. And not only that Obasanjo left prison, he became our president in 1999.

“This is something that only prayers and sincerity can do. I’m happy that today myself and Obasanjo are here to celebrate the unity of Plateau,” he said.

Gowon also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.

The former head of state said that the state had gone through a myriad of security challenges; hence, the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.

Gowon also thanked the state government for organising the carol, adding that it would further unite the citizens of the state.

The former head of state said that the state had gone through a myriad of security challenges; hence, the carol provided a suitable avenue for the people to commune.

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for the various initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the people.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has said it is unfortunate that majority of people, including some lawmakers, do not understand the contents of the tax reform bills.

He said the controversial bills were quickly passed for second reading to allow the public make comments on them.

The bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu earlier in September, have sparked reactions, especially among Northerners, who felt the legislation would further plunge the region into more economic hardship.

Northern governors, traditional leaders and other different groups have rejected the bills, saying they are inimical to the region and the nation at large.

Barau disclosed this in an interview with BBC Hausa service, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State decried that governors would not be able to pay salaries if the bills were passed into law, expressing concerns over how the bills had received urgent attention at the National Assembly.

But speaking with BBC Hausa, Senator Barau Jibrin, who has come under heavy criticisms especially on social media for supporting the bills, said the speedy passage was to enable Nigerians have room to comment on the legislation before considering the next line of action.

He said, “Because of the contents of the bills, we decided to invite experts or the people who developed them on behalf of the President to explain to us the provisions of the bills and also advise us so that Nigerians will know about it.

“The bills have to scale the second reading before they could be taken to the committee for a review. And while we could ask (the committee) questions, Nigerians who might have only watched it on the television could not have room to ask questions. That was why it was resolved that the bills would be passed for the second reading so that Nigerians would have the chance to comment, give their contributions and also ask questions.”

Asked why the bills were not first presented to the committee before passing them for the second reading, Barau said, “No, it is not done that way. It has to pass the second reading before it can be taken to the committee. The second reading is done so that the public can have room to pass their comments on it. That is why the bills were presented to the committee now so that they will review, x-ray it and tell us the contents therein.

“The second reading is not the end of the process. No, that is even where the process begins. And it was done in order to enable the public (youth, children, women, clerics and everyone) to comment and register their complaints about it,” he stated.

Responding to whether lawmakers were aware of the hardship the bills could subject Nigerians to, Barau remarked, “Nobody will do something that will have negative impact on his people. The issue now is to first know the provisions of the bills. Majority of people don’t even know the contents therein, even some of our lawmakers.

“We have to first have a grasp of the bills before they would be understood, that was why it was sent to the committee for them to review so that we know the situation. We will also invite experts to go through it, but we have not gotten to that level now.”

Hon Yusuff Abdullahi Abiodun has sent his congratulatory message the new ASIWAJU MUSULUMI OF OSOGBO LAND, ALHAJI ADEBAYO MUNIRUDEEN RAJI DALEGAN,

Osogbo Grand Imam, Sheik Musa Animashaun has appointed Alhaji Muniru Raji as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland.

The new Asiwaju is the Special Adviser on POLITICAL AFFAIRS to the Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke.

Hon Yusuf Abdullah in his press statement stated Alhaji Munirudeen Raji is not new as your past records on Islamic affairs within NACOMYO from Oyo state and to Osun state till date,

He maintained that in Osogbo Muslim community knew your encouragement value as a great islamic warrior,unbiased brotherhood system makes your name shine within the globe.

May Almighty Allah SWT keep you for his work with more wisdom, knowledge and blessings, congratulations sir . Barakalhau fih.

The appointment was convened through an official letter signed by Chief Imam of Osogboland, Sheik Musa Animashaun and presented to the new Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland in the early hours of Tuesday at his Ido Osun residence.

Imam Abdulsalam Akinwumi, the Chief Ladan of Osogboland, Sheik Alayo led other Imams and Alfas to present the appointment letter.

Tthe new Asiwaju Musulumi of Osogboland, Alhaji Muniru Raji expressed gratitude to Allah, the grand Imam of Osun State, Sheik Imam Musa Animashaun and the entire Osogbo muslim community for deeming him worthy of the appointment. In his words.

“This appointment comes with great responsibilities and a huge call on me to further strengthen my contribution to the continuous growth of Islam in Osogboland.