Former Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) has revealed that he unsuccessfully tried to befriend the late civil rights lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi.

Babangida stated this on Friday during an appearance on Channels TV’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.

He described Fawehinmi as a good critic who did not want to be associated with him.

Babangida added that in the process of formulating many of his policies, he always queried members of his inner circle on the reaction he would receive from Fawehinmi.

“He (Fawehinmi) is a good critic and he doesn’t want to be seen with someone that people already perceived as an evil genius,” Babangida said.

“I like listening to him. I made it a point to become his friend. He was very friendly with one of my former ministers, the late Alex Akinyele. They were very good friends, and he tried to make us very good friends.

“If we come up with a policy, my first question to my staff was: ‘What would Gani Fawehinmi say?’”

Babangida said his fondness for the respected lawyer was born out of his attraction to bright minds.

Fawehinmi was one of the most outspoken critics of Babangida’s regime. He died on September 5, 2009 in Lagos.