- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed how former Nigerian Military Head of States, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, inspired his political career.
The President held that people like would not have been in politics if not for Babangida’s influence.
Tinubu stated this during his address at the launching of Babangida’s autobiography on Thursday at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
He maintained that the ex-military leader, popularly called IBB, inspired and others with his aggressive revolution and call for youths’ participation in politics.
“General Ibrahim Babangida, without you, people like me wouldn’t be in politics.
“Your aggressive revolution, saying that you want young brilliant people in politics to bring Nigeria back inspired some of us.” Tinubu said.
He, however, recounted his encounter with IBB during his regime.
“One thing I cannot forget when you were in office, we were elected, and you kept on postponing the inauguration.
“You summoned us to Abuja, and when we became rancorous, you summoned us to the International Press Centre.
“I was not expecting to make any comment. I was just listening in my own radical manner that this man will not inaugurate us again.
“But before we returned to the hotel, the hotel was locked, no keys. When I was summoned by Dele Cole to make a remark, I confronted you that you had an opportunity to make history that day and you failed to do it.
“Why not inaugurate us? Why are you calling us back and postponing the inauguration?
“They thought I would end up in jail. You came out right at the end of the remark and shook me.
“I can’t forget that statement, you said ‘you are courageous. That is an inspiration that is so impactful in my own life just for what you are.” Tinubu said.
NPO earlier reported the President’s acknowledgement of Babangida’s contribution to Nigeria.