“Babangida Inspired Tinubu, Didn’t Torment Him” – Onanuga Counters Osinbajo

Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga refutes Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that Ibrahim Babangida tormented Bola Tinubu during the military era, stating that Babangida was actually an inspiration for Tinubu’s political career.

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo recently stirred controversy by suggesting that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was among those who tormented President Bola Tinubu during the military era. He made this remark while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja last week.

Osinbajo recalled Tinubu’s resistance to the military’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. He added that it was ironic to see Tinubu now celebrating Babangida, a figure he once opposed.

However, Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Osinbajo’s claim during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Tuesday. He stated that Babangida was not Tinubu’s tormentor but rather an inspiration for his political career.

“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu. Don’t forget that in his own speech at the event, Tinubu acknowledged that Babangida inspired him to go into politics,” Onanuga asserted.

Onanuga explained that Babangida’s call for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s encouraged several technocrats, including Tinubu, to venture into politics.

“The military president had talked about bringing in fresh faces, and many professionals, including Tinubu, heeded that call. So, he went there (the book launch) to pay homage,” Onanuga added.

He further clarified that Tinubu’s real political struggles with the military began under General Sani Abacha, when he and some lawmakers attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.

Onanuga also acknowledged Babangida’s recent admission that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election. However, he noted that such a recognition came too late.

The debate over Babangida’s role in Nigeria’s political history continues to spark discussions, with varying perspectives on his influence and decisions during his time in power.

Focus Keyword: Babangida and Tinubu