Not a few were involved in the Olusegun Obasanjo pseudo coup saga, to have him freed from the General Sani Abacha gulag. There was no way General Yakubu Gowon could have compelled General Abacha, a serving Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces at that point in time.
He was so dreadful and had Killing Squads all over the country to subjugate dissident voices.
No doubt, General Gowon might have added his voice to the campaign for General Obasanjo’s freedom. It’s on record that General David Medayese Jemibewon took bold steps and mounted the centre stage at the risk of his life for Obasanjo. He lobbied United Kingdom Parliament, notable Chiefs, Obas, Emirs (including Alhaji Ado Bayero from Kano), Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Diplomats, etc. He was shuttling here and there under security cover.
No notable Nigerian surpassed his risky adventures to save the life of his former boss. Yet, Abacha was adamant to the core. There was palpable anxiety.
Time was thickening, while the sword was dangling. Curiously, some hope appeared.
Chief Alex Ibru secretly came unto the slippery gallery to reset the stage. He was the Interior Minister under the dark goggled General Abacha.
During the time, my office – Talent Associates Nigeria Limited (TAN) owned by Chief Segun Olusola’s late wife (Elsie) was at Shop No 4, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Chief Olusola was then serving as the Nigeria Ambassador to Ethiopia, Addis-Ababa and Permanent Representative at Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
Apart from been an Executive Director of the company, I was also the Special Assistant (Domestic) of Chief Segun Olusola.
By 1991, the Ibru Family had bought majority shares of the Tourism Company of Nigeria (TCN,) – the Owners of the Federal Palace Hotel. Chief Alex Ibru a prominent figure in the Ibru Family, as an illustrious son, had offices in the hotel.
I was the Secretary-General of the Tenants Association of the Hotel. The rare chance brought me into close proximity with late Chief Alex Ibru, which I treasured and guarded seriously.
One morning, my intercom rang, at the other end was the Minister. He properly introduced himself and established if I was alone and free to discuss with me an urgent national matter. I got rattled, why national.
Because that time, the Ibrus had taken over the Hotel and wanted all the tenants to vacate the premises without adequate considerations to our varied tenancies.
Our then Tenants Association President, late Senator Franca Afegbua and myself vehemently objected to the verbal quit notice.
Not long after the intercom exchange, four Secret Intelligent Officers entered my office, and introduced themselves, their mission and sought for my permission to excuse my staff outside to enable me attend to an urgent call from the above.
I was scared initially, but they assured me of no harm intended. They expressed that they themselves would not be privileged to listen to the conversation.
I made few requests for my safety and the genuineness of their mission. All ascertained, before they moved outside with my staff and door closed.
The intercom rang for my discourse with the Honourable Minister. He said, “Wole, please, treat this encounter with utmost top secrecy. By Midnight today, General Olusegun Obasanjo would be killed by the State. I need the phone number of Mr Salim Ahmed Salim, the Secretary-General of OAU to enable him quickly organise a World Press Conference to ascertain that Obasanjo was still alive and must not be killed by the Abacha jaunta regime. That the Commonwealth Countries were on alert to support the initiative. Please, avoid discussing the subject with anyone for now. You might be watchlisted. However, if you encounter any fear, feel free to see me. I’m in town. Take the number of the head of the Secret Service that came to you. They would provide cover for you. I rely on information about the event from you. Keep in touch”
I became jittery and got confused. I hurriedly left my office to my house, where I quickly scribbled notes to our lawyer, Mr. G. O. Kolawole for update and immediate actions. I hooked on to BBC for likely news related to my encounter. Not long, the news came on air. I became perplexed, narrated the story to my wife and a familiar friend.
I didn’t want to take things for granted due to the precarious nature of the subject matter. My wife was prepared for any eventuality. I hibernated from home for few days. The attempt by the trio of (Ibru, Wole & Salim) saved Obasanjo, not only the secret letter from General Gowon.
Certainly, late Mrs Stella Obasanjo knew majority of the behind the curtain movements and personalities involved. How come the claim made by Gowon.
Later, the assassination attempt made on the life of Chief Alex Ibru around Falomo Bridge, Ikoyi, Lagos vividly pointed out to the pivotal roles he secretly played to save the life of Ebora Owu. Till date, no single arrest was made to investigate those behind these nefarious acts. A few of the Tenants were afraid of mass arrest on account of the tenancy issues.
I became the centre of attraction. The same Stella made reference to Ibru efforts when Chief Olusola visited Obasanjo as soon as he was released from the tormentor’s gulag.
Aroole Wole Adediran
December 1st, 2024
