Former military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once rejected an assignment that placed him under the command of the late Murtala Muhammed during the Nigerian Civil War.
This was contained in Chapter 14 of Gowon’s autobiography, “My Life of Duty and Allegiance”, unveiled in Abuja, on Tuesday.
Key Highlights:
- Yakubu Gowon said Olusegun Obasanjo initially refused to serve under Murtala Muhammed during the Civil War.
- The disagreement was reportedly over military seniority within the 2 Division command structure.
- Gowon said Obasanjo later accepted the assignment and performed effectively.
- The revelation was contained in Gowon’s autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance.
According to Gowon, the disagreement began after he established a Rear Command for the newly created 2 Division, led by Murtala Muhammed and assigned Obasanjo as Rear Commander in Ibadan.
The role involved coordinating supplies, reinforcements and maintaining security across the Western Region during the war.
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Gowon said Obasanjo opposed the arrangement because he believed he was senior to Murtala and should not take instructions from him.
“He strongly stated that he would never serve under Colonel Murtala Muhammed for any reason,” Gowon wrote.
The former military ruler explained that he insisted on the deployment, stressing that as Commander-in-Chief he had the authority to assign officers wherever they were needed most.
According to him, Obasanjo later accepted the role and carried out his responsibilities effectively.
Gowon also reflected on how his relationship with Obasanjo began in 1958 while both men were undergoing officer training in the United Kingdom.
He recalled how Obasanjo assisted him financially when he arrived in London with limited funds, describing the gesture as the beginning of his long-standing interest in Obasanjo’s career.
“That singular act made me take more interest in Obasanjo and what he did,” Gowon stated, adding that he became Obasanjo’s “informal guardian angel.”
The autobiography further alleged that former Biafran leader, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu secured foreign backing for Biafra by pledging the region’s mineral resources to the Rothschild banking family in exchange for about $10 million.
Gowon said Nigerian authorities discovered details of the alleged arrangement after intelligence linked to the purchase of a B-26 aircraft intended for Biafra was intercepted through the Nigerian Consulate in New York.
He also praised Murtala Muhammed for his courage and commitment during the war, although he noted that the late military leader sometimes allowed emotions to influence his decisions.
