Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a businessman and politician, has praised former military leader General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) for admitting his past mistakes and apologizing to the nation.
According to The Nation, it was reported that in a statement from his media office, Olawepo-Hashim called IBB’s apology an important step towards healing and bringing the country together.
Although Olawepo-Hashim was invited to the launch of IBB’s memoirs, he could not attend. However, he later visited IBB in Minna, the capital of Niger State, to congratulate him on the successful presentation of the book, which has led to much discussion across the country.
During his visit, Olawepo-Hashim highlighted the importance of IBB’s admission of his past mistakes, rather than focusing on the more controversial parts of the memoir. He said that IBB was not the only leader who has made mistakes in office, but not everyone has had the courage, and humility to admit their errors like he did. What he has said and written are important for national reconciliation.
Olawepo-Hashim pointed out that he is neither a fan of IBB nor someone who benefited from his government.
He also shared that IBB played a key role behind the scenes in making sure Dr. Goodluck Jonathan became President during Nigeria’s 2010 political crisis, following the Doctrine of Necessity.
He said, “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 (ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo) in Ota (Ogun State). I was with IBB till 1 a.m. the night (former President Umar Musa) Yar’Adua was brought back into the country.”
Further talking, he said, “We worked with Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, and Sen. Pulka, who represented Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s camp. The rest, as they say, is history.”
The businessman also said that the urgent need for Nigerian leaders to acknowledge their past mistakes, as he argued that a culture of accountability, and reconciliation was essential for national progress.
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