By Kolawole Ojebisi
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he owes his release from the military gulag largely to the role played by his late wife, Stella.
Obasanjo, who reminisced on his dark days behind bars with admixture of pain and gratitude, spoke glowingly about his deceased wife.
He spoke during the inauguration of a 250 bed space Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, the Edo State capital on Friday.
Recall that Obasanjo was quite vociferous in his criticism of the military junta led by the late General Sanni Abacha.
This stance led to the arrest and incarceration of the former head of state over what was described as “phantom coup”
Despite maintaining his innocence, trumped- up charges were leveled against him, and he was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Obasanjo was however released by the Abdulsalami Abubakar led military regime shortly after Abacha’s death. That development paved the way for his emergence as civilian president in 1999.
The late Stella, who in her lifetime hailed from Edo state, was said to be very visible during the struggle for her husband’s release, and subsequently emerged the First Lady in 1999 when Obasanjo assumed office as civilian president.
However, she died during Obasanjo’s second term in office. While reflecting on the scenario, Obasanjo, praised his late wife who he said went the extra miles to play a crucial role that led to his release from prison.
He added that she travelled far and extensively over the issue and “no amount of honour would be too much for the role she played”.
“My late wife went everywhere to ensure that I came out of prison alive. She was in Vatican City, France and other parts of the world. I had it all coming out of prison.
“We were planning for her 68th birthday anniversary but never had it before she died. It was very painful for me in particular and for all of us in my family.
“So you can appreciate how thankful I am to you for doing this in her honour”, he noted.
Obasanjo thanked the government and people of Edo State for the honour adding that “I had a woman who made tremendous contributions to my achievements in public life”.
The former president who said he had a good working relationship with former governor Odigie Oyegun further praised governor Godwin Obaseki for “starting and finishing well”.
I have worked in the past with the likes of John Oyegun. He was a fantastic permanent secretary. I reminded him recently of some of the things that he practised on me and the ones I practised on him.
Speaking further, Obasanjo praised Obaseki, saying that he started well and he is finishing well. “With this hospital, you’re assured of first class treatment for any ailment. More grace to the elbows of the governor. With this kind of edifice, I can say that the governor started well and is finishing well”, he submitted.
