Babafemi Ojudu, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how he and others dissuaded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from accepting an offer to serve as Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Gists9ja reports that Ojudu shared the account during an episode of the State Affairs podcast, hosted by Edmund Obilo. He explained that taking the role could have jeopardized Tinubu’s political ambitions and his position as the leader of the Action Congress at the time.
A Defining Moment
Recalling the conversation, Ojudu said Tinubu once called to inform him about the offer.
“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 invited him to join his government of unity as Minister of Finance,” Ojudu recounted.
Ojudu immediately cautioned Tinubu against accepting the position, referencing the tragic fate of Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under mysterious circumstances.
“I told him, ‘You are in the 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,’” Ojudu explained.
Collective Persuasion
Ojudu was joined in his concerns by Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally and former Governor of Osun State.
“Rauf walked in and said, ‘Femi is right; that is not a job to take,’” Ojudu recalled.
However, a businessman present at the meeting disagreed, suggesting that accepting the role could be beneficial for everyone involved. Ojudu, however, held firm, emphasizing the long-term risks to Tinubu’s political career.
“Our dream for him was 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—just like Bola Ige,” he stated.
Addressing Allegations of Betrayal
Ojudu also addressed allegations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, when he supported former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket instead of Tinubu.
He dismissed claims of personal animosity, explaining that their differing paths were driven by vision and principles rather than a breakdown in friendship.
“We cannot quarrel. It is about our vision taking different routes,” Ojudu said.
He further illustrated his point by mentioning his presence at the wedding of Bayo Onanuga’s daughter, where he reassured attendees that his political decisions were not personal.
“For me, loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country,” Ojudu concluded.
A Testament to Strategic Leadership
Ojudu’s account sheds light on the strategic decisions that have shaped Tinubu’s political career, underscoring the importance of foresight and loyalty in navigating Nigeria’s complex political landscape.