Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has dismissed claims made by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo regarding former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s role in Tinubu’s political struggles during the military era.
Osinbajo made the statement last week while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja.
He recalled how Tinubu, who was a senator at the time, stood against the military’s decision to dissolve the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
He also mentioned that Tinubu, who was once “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, was now present at the event to celebrate his former adversary.
However, speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television program, Onanuga disagreed with Osinbajo’s assertion. He insisted that Babangida was not a tormentor of Tinubu but rather a key figure in his political rise.
“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 said.
He explained that Babangida’s call for a new generation of politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s encouraged many professionals from the private sector, including Tinubu, to join 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.
Onanuga further clarified that Tinubu’s actual struggles with the military came later under General Sani Abacha. According to him, Tinubu, along with some lawmakers, faced significant challenges when they attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
He also acknowledged Babangida’s recent statement admitting that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election. However, he noted that this recognition came too late.
