Gowon revealed that Obasanjo strongly opposed the arrangement, insisting he would never serve under an officer he considered his junior.

The former Head of State made the revelation in Chapter 14 of his 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, titled “No Going Back,” unveiled in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Gowon, he had established a Rear Command for the newly created 2 Division under Murtala Muhammed, while Obasanjo, who was then serving as Sector Commander in the Western State, was expected to function as Rear Commander in Ibadan.

The role involved coordinating relief supplies, military equipment and reinforcements, alongside securing the Western Region during the civil war.

However, Gowon said Obasanjo resisted the posting because it placed him in a subordinate role under Murtala.

“He believed he was more senior and should not be expected to serve under his junior,” Gowon wrote.

“His reaction made it obvious that he was not comfortable with any arrangement that appeared to make him play second fiddle to Murtala.

“As a result, he strongly stated that he would never serve under Colonel Murtala Muhammed for any reason.”

Gowon explained that he eventually overruled Obasanjo by exercising his authority as Commander-in-Chief.

“I stood my ground that, as Commander-in-Chief, I reserved the right to deploy officers to where they would be most useful to the country at any time,” he stated.

According to him, he clarified to Obasanjo that the assignment was not about serving as Murtala’s deputy but ensuring the security of the Western Region.

Gowon said Obasanjo eventually accepted the posting and performed impressively in the role.

He particularly commended Obasanjo for allegedly rejecting an attempt by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka to persuade him to allow Col. Victor Banjo access into the Western Region through Benin to Ibadan during the war.

“He performed well to my expectations, especially by rebuffing Wole Soyinka’s attempt to get him to allow Colonel Victor Banjo to come to the West through Benin to Ibadan. I deeply appreciate Obasanjo’s loyalty and patriotism,” Gowon wrote.

The former military ruler also reflected on how his relationship with Obasanjo began in March 1958 during their officer training in the United Kingdom.

Gowon recalled arriving in London with limited funds and considering seeking help from Obasanjo and another Nigerian officer, Foluso Sotomi.

He described Sotomi as flamboyant and extravagant, while portraying Obasanjo as disciplined and financially responsible.

“Obasanjo, on the other hand, was much different. He had more than enough money to pay for himself and to offset my initial bills. I saw that as a great display of responsibility,” Gowon stated.

According to him, that gesture made him develop a special interest in Obasanjo’s military career.

“That singular act made me take more interest in Obasanjo and what he did. I advised him to remain focused in the Army.

“I became his informal guardian angel right up to the time I appointed him to take over command of the 3 Marine Commando from Adekunle,” he added.

Gowon described Obasanjo as a quiet, intelligent and respectable officer, although he noted that some younger officers, including Alani Akinrinade, appeared naturally sharper.

Speaking further, Gowon explained why he chose Murtala Muhammed to lead the 2 Division during the war, describing him as his preferred candidate because of his courage and enthusiasm.

However, he admitted that Murtala sometimes struggled with emotional control.

In another revelation, Gowon alleged that Biafran leader Odumegwu Ojukwu pledged Biafra’s mineral resources to the Rothschild banking family in exchange for support during the civil war.

According to him, the arrangement was reportedly valued at about $10 million, estimated at ₦5 million at the time.

Gowon also alleged that France backed the Biafran side through some of its former African colonies, hoping to benefit if the secessionist movement succeeded.

“Indeed, he had pawned the mineral wealth of Biafra to Rothschild for about $10m or an estimated ₦5m at the time,” Gowon wrote.

He said Nigerian authorities later uncovered the alleged arrangement after the country’s consulate in New York intercepted information relating to the purchase of a B-26 aircraft allegedly meant for Biafra.

According to him, the intelligence was relayed to Lagos by Moses Ihonde, who later served as his Press Secretary.