How I Survived Dimka’s 1976 Coup — Obasanjo

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Obiajulu Joel Nwolu

Obiajulu Joel Nwolu is an established writer at africannewstoday.com. He is passionate about African affairs. He loves writing about interesting facts relating to the African continent and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.

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Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria, on Sunday, disclosed how he survived the February 1976 military coup d’etat, led by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Dimka.

He said it was General Olu Bajowa (retd.) that indirectly saved him from being killed in the coup, Punch reports.

Obasanjo stated this at the 80th birthday celebration of General Bajowa held in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The former president seized the opportunity of the ceremony to recount the story of how he was indirectly saved from being killed during the coup.

Obasanjo said, “I want to say something about Olu – either he knew it or he didn’t know. When Dimka coup came, if Olu had not been what he is, I would have gone with the coup.

“Olu is very conscious of our culture. He had a child, a boy, and wanted to name the child after me. He had to call me early in the morning, that morning Dimka struck.

“And because Olu said he was coming, I had to wait a little bit. I waited beyond the time I would have gone out. Olu then came, he made the request and I granted the request.

“So, I was a little bit late in going on the route that I normally took to work. And Reinumuje went ahead of me and they thought it was me and they shot his car. Murtala was shot. Indirectly, that is how Olu Bajowa saved my life,”