In an exclusive interview, former Nigerian Military Head of State, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, opened up about his unsuccessful attempts to befriend the late civil rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi. Babangida revealed that despite his efforts, Fawehinmi distanced himself due to the perception of Babangida as an “evil genius.”
During the interview with Channels Television, Babangida expressed his admiration for Fawehinmi’s criticism and noted that he had earnestly sought to cultivate a friendship with the activist. He disclosed that even a member of his cabinet, the late Alex Akinyele, attempted to facilitate a bond between them, but to no avail.
Babangida conveyed, “He (Fawehinmi) is a good critic and he doesn’t want to be seen with someone that people already perceived as ‘an evil genius.’ I like listening to him. I made it a point to become his friend. He was very friendly with one of my former ministers, the late Alex Akinyele; they were very good friends, and he tried to make us very good friends. If we come up with a policy, my first question to my staff was: What would Gani Fawehinmi say?”
Despite the absence of personal closeness, Babangida expressed a deep respect for Fawehinmi’s intellect and acknowledged the latter’s significant influence on his administration. He revealed that he frequently sought Fawehinmi’s perspective on policy matters, underscoring the lawyer’s impact on his decision-making process.
Babangida also emphasized his preference for engaging with brilliant minds, highlighting his belief that recruiting such individuals into his administration was in the best interest of Nigeria.
This candid revelation offers a unique insight into the complex dynamics between two influential figures in Nigeria’s history and sheds light on the unwavering principles of Gani Fawehinmi amidst the political landscape of his era.
