Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Ebenezer Adebayo, has congratulated former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on his 85th birthday, describing him as a significant figure in Nigeria’s modern political history.

Adebayo, in a congratulatory message issued on Monday, said Babangida’s decades of service as a soldier, military leader and elder statesman had left an enduring imprint on the country’s political and institutional development.

He said the former military president’s 85th birthday provided an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on his role in some of the defining chapters of the nation’s history.

“General Babangida has lived through some of the most defining chapters of our nation’s history. His journey as a soldier, military leader and elder statesman provides an important part of the story of Nigeria and the continuing evolution of our nation,” Adebayo said.

The SDP presidential candidate said Babangida’s milestone birthday should also remind Nigerians of the responsibilities that come with leadership and public service.

According to him, Nigeria must continue to learn from its history, preserve the lessons of the past and build strong institutions capable of securing a better future for generations yet unborn.

Adebayo, who extended the congratulatory message on behalf of his family, the SDP and Nigerians who value the contributions of the country’s elder statesmen, wished Babangida continued good health, peace and wisdom.

He also urged Nigerians to respect the experience and wisdom of the nation’s elder statesmen, while ensuring that lessons from the country’s political history continue to inform its democratic future.

He said, “I therefore celebrate General Babangida on this important milestone and wish him many more years of good health, peace and wisdom. May his remaining years continue to be marked by opportunities to contribute to national dialogue and the advancement of Nigeria.”

Adebayo also prayed that Almighty God would grant Babangida continued strength, good health and longevity.

Babangida served as Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993 and remains one of the most prominent and debated figures in the country’s political history.