The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has faulted former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s recent statement that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was one of the key figures who tormented Tinubu during the military era.
Osinbajo made the claim while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja last week.
During the event, Osinbajo reflected on Tinubu’s resistance to the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a lighthearted comment, he mentioned that while Tinubu was “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, he was now present to celebrate one of his former adversaries.
However, Onanuga, speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, dismissed Osinbajo’s assertion. Onanuga clarified that Babangida was not one of Tinubu’s tormentors.
He reminded Nigerians that during the event, Tinubu himself acknowledged that Babangida was an influential figure who inspired him to enter politics.
“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.
The presidential adviser further explained that Babangida’s call for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s played a significant role in attracting several technocrats and private sector professionals, including Tinubu, into the political arena. According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s decision to enter politics was motivated by this appeal for fresh faces in leadership.
Onanuga also clarified that Tinubu’s real challenges with the military began under General Sani Abacha’s regime. He recalled that Tinubu, along with several lawmakers, attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos, which marked a significant moment in his political struggle.
Additionally, Onanuga commended Babangida for his recent acknowledgment that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election.
However, he noted that the recognition came too late to undo the damage caused by the annulment of the election.
The comments by Onanuga highlight the ongoing debate surrounding Nigeria’s political history and the roles played by key figures during the military era.
