According to Vanguard, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a former presidential candidate and businessman, has expressed his admiration for General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), the former Head of State, for acknowledging his past mistakes and offering an apology to the nation.
In a statement released by his media department on Tuesday, Hashim described Babangida’s apology as an important and significant gesture toward national healing and reconciliation.
The statement reflects Hashim’s belief that such an acknowledgment plays a crucial role in the process of moving forward as a nation.
Hashim, who was detained without trial during Babangida’s military regime, revealed that while he had been invited to the launch of Babangida’s new book, he was unable to attend the event.
Nevertheless, he later visited Babangida in person to congratulate him on the success of the book, which has sparked considerable debate across the country.
During this visit, Hashim focused on the importance of Babangida’s apology, emphasizing that, rather than delving into the controversial aspects of the former military leader’s past, it was essential to recognize his courage in admitting his mistakes.
Hashim stated, “While IBB is not the only leader to have made mistakes during his time in office, not all leaders have the courage and humility to acknowledge their faults. His words and writings serve as significant contributions to the process of national reconciliation.”
This sentiment highlights Hashim’s appreciation for Babangida’s willingness to confront his past, something that is not always seen among political leaders, regardless of their history.
Despite his past opposition to Babangida’s military rule and his personal experience of being imprisoned under Decree 2, Hashim clarified that he was not a beneficiary of Babangida’s government, nor was he offering praise for his leadership.
He recalled his strong opposition to Babangida’s regime but explained that his views evolved over time, particularly after 2004.
Following mediation efforts by the late Governor Abdulkadir Kure, Professor Tunde Adeniran, and Dr. Esther Uduehi, Hashim came to appreciate Babangida’s qualities beyond his political role.
Hashim described Babangida as “an enigma,” noting that despite their past differences, he has come to respect his humility, simplicity, and strong dedication to Nigeria’s unity.
He added, “For him, national unity is like a religion,” emphasizing the complexity of Babangida’s character and his unwavering commitment to the nation’s welfare.
In addition to his reflections on Babangida’s apology, Hashim also recounted the former leader’s key role behind the scenes in the political events of 2010 that ultimately led to Goodluck Jonathan becoming president under the Doctrine of Necessity.
Hashim revealed that Babangida had reached out to him to assist in ensuring Jonathan’s ascension to the presidency during Nigeria’s political crisis.
“He asked me to fly in from London when some interest groups were working to prevent Jonathan from becoming Acting President. I ran errands between him and Baba in Ota. I was with IBB till 1 a.m. the night Yar’Adua was being brought back into the country,” Hashim said.
He went on to explain how they worked together with key political figures, such as Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and Senator Pulka, who represented Jonathan’s camp, to navigate the political situation.
Hashim concluded by saying, “The rest is well-known,” recognizing the pivotal role Babangida played in influencing the resolution of the political crisis and facilitating a seamless leadership transition.
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