Gowon Reveals Obasanjo Once Refused to Serve Under Murtala During Civil War

Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once resisted serving under late Head of State Murtala Muhammed during the Nigerian Civil War.

Gowon made the revelation in Chapter 14 of his newly launched 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, titled “No Going Back,” unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Gowon, the disagreement arose after he created a Rear Command for the newly established 2 Division headed by Murtala Muhammed and subsequently appointed Obasanjo as Rear Commander in Ibadan.

Gowon disclosed that Obasanjo opposed the posting, insisting that he was senior to Murtala and should not be placed under his command.

“He strongly stated that he would never serve under Colonel Murtala Muhammed for any reason,” Gowon wrote.

The former military leader explained that he stood by the decision, stressing that as Commander-in-Chief at the time, he possessed the authority to deploy officers wherever they were most needed.

Despite his initial resistance, Gowon noted that Obasanjo later accepted the assignment and carried out his duties effectively.

Gowon also reflected on the early foundation of his relationship with Obasanjo, tracing it back to 1958 when both men were undergoing military officer training in the United Kingdom.

He recounted how Obasanjo came to his aid financially after he arrived in London with limited funds, describing the gesture as the beginning of his enduring interest in Obasanjo’s career.

“That singular act made me take more interest in Obasanjo and what he did,” Gowon stated, adding that he eventually became Obasanjo’s “informal guardian angel.”