Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo initially refused to serve under Colonel Murtala Muhammed during Nigeria’s Civil War of 1957–1960.
Gowon disclosed this in Chapter 14 of his 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, titled “No Going Back,” which was launched on Tuesday in Abuja.
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.
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.
