Gbenga Hashim and Femi Falana Hold Meeting on Nigeria's Political Consultations

Former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Hashim met with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana in a strategic meeting focused on Nigeria's political future, AllAfrica reported. Hashim stated that pro-democracy groups aim to maintain Nigeria's multi-party system amid political consultations.

The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations with key stakeholders aimed at safeguarding Nigeria's multi-party democracy. "We agreed to support Nigeria's multi-party democracy structure, Hashim said. Hashim described Falana as a long-time ally with a relationship spanning over four decades rooted in activism, resistance, and commitment to justice.

The two were involved in the anti-apartheid movement under the Nigeria-ANC Friendship and Cultural Association. A major protest occurred on January 7, 1988, during the visit of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Hashim led a student contingent that defied security restrictions and advanced onto the airport tarmac in protest that day.

The protest action on January 7, 1988, led to the arrest of five activists. Only two of the five arrested activists from the January 7, 1988, protest remain alive. Olaitan Oyerinde, Chris Ayaeze, and Rotimi Ewebiyi, three of the arrested activists from the January 7, 1988, protest, have passed on.

Hashim filed a 1988 suit challenging the Structural Adjustment Programme under the regime of Ibrahim Babangida. Falana served as pro bono lawyer for Hashim in the 1988 suit against the Structural Adjustment Programme. Hashim was detained in 1989 in a landmark constitutional case against the Attorney General of the Federation, handled by a legal team led by Alao Aka-Bashorun, then President of the Nigeria Bar Association.

Falana played a pivotal role in Hashim's appointment as National Administrative Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, where he worked under the late Beko Ransome-Kuti.