Babafemi Ojudu, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared the behind-the-scenes story of how President Bola Tinubu rejected an offer to become the Minister of Finance during the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Ojudu made the revelation during a podcast interview on State Affairs, hosted by Edmund Obilo. According to him, the offer came as part of Yar’Adua’s plan for a government of unity. Tinubu, then a prominent leader of the Action Congress, was approached to join the administration.
Excited by the proposal, Tinubu informed Ojudu, saying, “Tinubu called me one day and said, ‘Congratulations to me.’
I asked, ‘Congratulations for what?’ He then told me that former President Yar’Adua had called him to join his government of unity as Minister of Finance.”
Ojudu cited historical concerns, pointing to the tragic fate of Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under unclear circumstances while serving in a similar capacity.
Ojudu warned Tinubu, saying, “You are in Action Congress. Are you not a student of history? Do you not see what happened to Bola Ige? You are digging your political grave if you accept that type of job.”
Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally of Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, reportedly joined the discussion and supported Ojudu’s stance.
He added, “Rauf walked in and said, ‘Femi is right; that is not a job to take.
“One businessman walked in and said, ‘You guys are too radical. This thing will benefit everyone.’ But I insisted, ‘No, we are not looking for this type of benefit. We are looking for his political survival.
“He is our leader. Our dream for him is bigger than him becoming a minister in Yar’Adua’s government. Nine months down the line, they would arrest him, try him, and finish him off — the way they did to Bola Ige.”
In the interview, Ojudu also addressed claims of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, where he supported Yemi Osinbajo over Tinubu for the APC ticket. He clarified that his actions were driven by differing political visions, not personal animosity.
He said, “We cannot quarrel. It is about our vision taking different routes. I just came from Bayo Onanuga’s daughter’s wedding. People saw me and said, We never knew you would come around.
“I told them, Do you think we are boxing each other? It is not personal. For me, loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country.”
