Former Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu
Gowon says he became Head of State 31 years ago by accident of history without
nursing the ambition.
Gen. Gowon stated this when the Deputy
Chairman of Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sen. Shehu Sani, paid him a
courtesy call in Abuja on Wednesday.
Gowon was reacting to the call by some
Nigerians for the reduction of age limit to 30 years to contest for
presidential position in the country.
“What happened was the accident of history.
“When you have lost your leadership and there was crisis and you
don’t know what to do and it happened that those within your constituency chose
you, what would you do?
“I was lucky enough within the military at that time and all the
officers knew me by reputation.
“I had no intention to become head of state but it is the
opportunity, if opportunity presents itself and people ask you to do it then do
it.
“What I have achieved is (because of) God. I had never thought of
becoming head of state but there was a coup and all my senior colleagues were
killed and I was the only one that survived.
“My plan was to rise in my profession and hopefully become a head
in my profession but that did not happen.
“I didn’t know what happened but I had the duty and responsibility
to ensure the coup in Lagos did not succeed’’, he said.
The retired General advised younger Nigerians
to prepare themselves academically and morally to take advantage of
opportunities when they present themselves.
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