Former Nigerian Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once refused to serve under late military leader Murtala Muhammed during the Nigerian Civil War.
The revelation was contained in Gowon’s autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, where he recounted events from the early phase of the war.
According to Gowon, Obasanjo opposed an arrangement that placed him in a supporting role under Murtala, insisting he should not work under someone he considered his junior in rank.
Gowon said Obasanjo openly declared he would “never” serve under Murtala for any reason. However, as Commander-in-Chief, Gowon insisted on the deployment and eventually persuaded him to accept the assignment.
The former military ruler explained that Obasanjo later performed effectively in the role, especially in coordinating security and logistics in the Western Region.
Gowon also described himself as Obasanjo’s longtime “guardian angel,” recalling how their relationship began in 1958 during military training in the United Kingdom, where Obasanjo reportedly assisted him financially.
The autobiography further alleged that former Biafran leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu secured foreign support during the civil war by allegedly pledging Biafra’s mineral resources to the Rothschild banking family in exchange for financial backing.
Gowon additionally praised Murtala Muhammed’s courage and leadership qualities during the war, despite noting that the late military leader sometimes allowed emotions to influence his actions.
