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VIDEO: Why we ‘sold’ Obasanjo to Nigerians in 1999 – Ibrahim Babangida

 

Obasanjo served as democratic president between 1999 and 2007

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (GCFR) has revealed why Olusegun Obasanjo was selected by the country’s political elites in 1998 to assume the role as the first democratically elected president of the country.

Babangida said the main reason Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military leader was handpicked was because of his experience and belief in Nigeria.

Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as its president from 1999 to 2007 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This follows the untimely demise of General Sani Abacha in 1998.

“If you see a Nigerian who believes so much in Nigeria, it is Olusegun Obasanjo. He believes so much in this country,” Babangida said in an exclusive Arise TV interview.

“So it is easy for us to conclude that the person who will take over must have those core beliefs. Believes in the oneness of Nigeria and believes in the stability for the future development of the country,” he said.

“So that is the one reason why we sold him to Nigerians. Then he has the experience, he has seen it all. Took part in the war of keeping the country one and led the country post-political, engineering, and development,” he added.

Source: mynigeria.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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