Gbenga Hashim Reveals How IBB Pushed for Jonathan’s Presidency

In a surprising revelation, former presidential candidate and businessman, Gbenga Hashim, shared how former military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida, played a crucial role in ensuring Goodluck Jonathan became president under the Doctrine of Necessity during Nigeria’s 2010 political crisis.

During a recent congratulatory visit to Babangida in Abuja, Hashim disclosed that the former military ruler had asked him to fly in from London when certain groups were attempting to block Jonathan from becoming acting president.

He explained,

“He asked me to fly in from London when some interest groups were working to prevent Jonathan from becoming Acting President…”

Hashim further elaborated on his involvement, revealing,

“I ran errands between him and Baba in Ota. I was with IBB till 1:00am, the night Yar’Adua was brought back into the country. We worked with Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and Senator Emmanuel Paulker, who represented Jonathan’s camp. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Additionally, Hashim praised Babangida for publicly acknowledging past mistakes and issuing a heartfelt apology to the nation. He described this act as an important step toward national healing and reconciliation.

“IBB is not the only leader who made mistakes in office, but not everyone has found the courage and humility to admit their errors. What he has said and written are important testimonies for national reconciliation,”

he said.

Despite his past opposition to Babangida’s regime, including being imprisoned under Decree 2, Hashim clarified that he was neither a praise-singer nor a beneficiary of IBB’s government. He emphasized that, since 2004, following mediation by the late Governor Abdulkadir Kure, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, and Dr. Esther Uduehi, he had come to appreciate Babangida’s qualities beyond politics.

“IBB is an enigma. Despite our differences, I have come to admire his humility, simplicity, and deep love for Nigeria’s unity. To him, national unity is like a religion,”

he added.

Hashim further highlighted the importance of Nigerian leaders acknowledging past mistakes, stressing that a culture of accountability and reconciliation is vital for the nation’s progress. He called for a collective apology to heal historical wounds, citing South Africa’s reconciliation under Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk as a model.

“As a nation, we need to apologize to some people so we can close the chapter on hatred and move forward. The victims of the first coup, including our founding fathers, those affected by the counter-coup, and various crises in our history – these wounds need to be addressed,”

Hashim concluded.