Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Tinubu shared a poignant memory involving former Military Head of State Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) during the launch of Babangida’s memoir, “A Journey of Service,” in Abuja on Thursday.

Tinubu recounted a pivotal moment when he confronted Babangida over the delays in the Senate’s inauguration, a bold move that he feared could have landed him in serious trouble but ultimately earned him Babangida’s respect.

Reflecting on the unrest among elected officials due to the postponed inauguration, Tinubu explained how they were summoned to Abuja. Although he initially planned to remain silent during the meeting, he felt compelled to speak up.

He recalled challenging Babangida directly, urging him to seize the moment and proceed with the inauguration rather than continue the delays.

    “I confronted you. I told you that you had an opportunity to make history that day, and you failed to do it. Why not inaugurate us?” Tinubu recounted.

Expecting negative consequences for his boldness, Tinubu was surprised when Babangida stood up, shook his hand, and praised his courage.

    “I thought I would end up in jail. But at the end of the remark, you stood up and shook my hand. I will never forget that. You said, ‘You’re courageous.’ That was an inspiration that had a profound impact on my life,” Tinubu revealed.

Tinubu expressed his deep appreciation, noting that without Babangida’s influence and this impactful encounter, he and many others might not have ventured into politics.

The anecdote highlighted the profound impact Babangida had on Tinubu’s political journey and served as a testament to the former leader’s legacy, as celebrated in his newly launched memoir.