Babangida: Why I ignored opposition to appoint Ajibola Justice Minister

Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, says there was a plot against the appointment of ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Bola Ajibola, who died on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Babangida said some persons were against the appointment of Ajibola, who served under his administration, saying he would give his (Babangida) government headache.

The former military president said he insisted that there was more reason behind the former AGF’s appointment.

He made this known via a statement issued on Sunday, April 9.

Babangida further described Ajibola, who died on Saturday night as “a great Nigerian, an unimpeachable patriot, a sound legal mind, humanist, and a quintessential legal luminary of global reputation”, adding that the latter’s death, “no doubt, marked the end of an eventful career of an exceptional Nigerian, whose love for country was total.”

READ ALSO: Ex-AGF, Bola Ajibola, dies at 89

He stated: “As a government, when we tried to appoint Prince Ajibola as Attorney-General of the Federation, there were certain persons who cautioned us against it, saying the late Prince was a controversial personality, who would give us a headache.

“I insisted that that was the more reason why we should appoint him; with the hope that he would guide us on the path of law and reason, and not sentiments; which he did.

“As a true Nigerian patriot, throughout his service to the nation, he refused to receive a salary. He served our nation pro-bono. He was very passionate about the place of Nigeria in the comity of nations.

“There was never a day he asked to be paid his salaries during and or after his meritorious service to the nation. Prince Bola Ajibola is an exceptional patriot of repute.

“At 89, he lived his full circle. His sound knowledge of law and the legal profession was legendary. He was a man with robust ideas about governance.

“He shaped the direction of our government and contributed in no small measure to deepening our body of laws.

“He was friendly, engaging, and selfless. He was a great mind whose love for country is remarkably worthy of emulation.

“I will personally miss this great Nigerian, who gave us a lot of ideas on how to lead our country.

“May God Almighty, in His infinite mercies, grant him a peaceful rest in the hereafter. May God be with his family and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Rest in Peace, Prince; a patriot with an extraordinary touch,” Babangida noted.

The Star