Day Murtala Mohammed shouted at me over Abeokuta as Ogun State capital – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that Ijebu leaders lobbied for Sagamu to be named the capital of Ogun State instead of Abeokuta during the state’s creation in February 1976.

Speaking at the Egba Legacy Network Induction Ceremony and Gala Night at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Obasanjo recounted how the late Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed, initially leaned towards the Ijebu leaders’ request but later abandoned the idea after a heated exchange.

According to Obasanjo, the Ijebu delegation argued that Abeokuta lacked sufficient land for expansion, making it unsuitable as a state capital. They proposed Sagamu as an alternative, claiming it had better development prospects.

“Murtala was informed and even agreed that Sagamu should be the capital,” Obasanjo recalled. “But I responded by saying, ‘If we’re creating Kano State as well, then Rago should be its capital.’”

The former president said his comment angered Murtala Muhammed, leading to a sharp confrontation.

“He shouted, ‘How dare you?’ and I replied, ‘How dare you too?’ That was how the discussion ended,” Obasanjo recounted.

Despite the push from the Ijebu leaders, Abeokuta was eventually named the capital of Ogun State.

Obasanjo also urged the Egba Legacy Network to document the history of Abeokuta and ensure that notable figures who contributed to the development of Egbaland are recognized in heritage tourism initiatives.

Ogun State, along with six others, was created under the Murtala Muhammed/Olusegun Obasanjo administration in February 1976.

Ten days later, Muhammed was assassinated, and Obasanjo took over as Head of State before handing over to Alhaji Shehu Shagari in 1979.