Jimmy Carter Saved Me From Abacha’s Prison – Obasanjo  

Abeokuta, Nigeria  —   Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has paid tribute to the late former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, describing him as a “titan and a man of peace” who risked his reputation to secure Obasanjo’s release from prison under the late General Sani Abacha’s regime.

Speaking during a memorial service held at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo recounted how Carter intervened during his incarceration, ensuring his transfer from detention to house arrest.

“President Carter was one of my foreign friends who put themselves on the line to save my life and secure my release from Abacha’s gulag. He personally visited Nigeria to plead with Abacha, which led to my temporary transfer to house arrest on my farm,” Obasanjo shared, adding that Carter remained persistent in his efforts despite Abacha’s resistance.

Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100 in Plains, Georgia.

Reflecting on Carter’s generosity, Obasanjo recalled how the late president enlisted media mogul Ted Turner to support him. “Carter told me Turner had offered to care for me and my family if I was released. This deeply moved me, and I remain eternally grateful to both of them,” he said.

Obasanjo also highlighted Carter’s leadership virtues, describing him as a humble, honest, and disciplined man who led by example. “He was a man of simplicity and unwavering righteousness, whose work for peace and humanity resonated globally,” Obasanjo stated.

He reminisced about the bond he shared with Carter, noting similarities in their early lives and military backgrounds. “Carter grew up in a farming community in Georgia, while I was raised in rural Ogun State. We both shared a commitment to discipline, integrity, and compassion instilled by our parents,” he remarked.

Obasanjo recalled Carter’s influence in fostering better U.S.-Africa relations during his presidency. “Carter’s administration worked closely with us to address Africa’s challenges, including apartheid and colonialism in Southern Africa. His visit to Nigeria in 1978 marked the first state visit to an African country by a sitting U.S. president,” he said.

He also praised Carter’s role in brokering peace between Israel and Egypt and his dedication to humanitarian causes post-presidency. “Through the Carter Center, he fought diseases like Guinea worm and polio, promoted agricultural development, and observed elections worldwide. He even ensured I participated in some of these efforts,” Obasanjo added.

Concluding, Obasanjo mourned the loss of a great friend and leader but expressed hope in reuniting in paradise. “The world may have lost a true icon, but his legacy of peace, justice, and humanity will endure,” he affirmed.

By Taiwo Olatinwo | January 13, 2025