By Ayomide Otitoju
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s characterization of former military President Ibrahim Babangida as Tinubu’s tormentor.
The remark was made by Osinbajo last week at the public presentation of Babangida’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service”, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. While reviewing the book, Osinbajo recalled how Tinubu, then a senator, opposed the military government’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He jokingly remarked that Tinubu, once tormented by the military, including Babangida, was now present to honor one of his former tormentors.
Babangida Inspired Tinubu’s Political Career – Onanuga
Speaking Tuesday on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Onanuga rejected Osinbajo’s assertion, arguing that Babangida was actually an inspiration for Tinubu’s political journey.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu. Don’t forget that President Tinubu himself acknowledged in his speech that Babangida was an inspiration to him,” Onanuga said.
He explained that Babangida’s policy of encouraging “new breed politicians” prompted many technocrats, including Tinubu, to venture into politics.
“When Babangida came in, he spoke about new breed politicians. Many technocrats and private sector professionals, including Tinubu, joined politics as a result. That was what brought Tinubu in. He was there [at the book launch] to pay homage,” Onanuga added.
The Real Torment Began Under Abacha
Onanuga clarified that Tinubu’s actual persecution came later, during the regime of General Sani Abacha, when he and his colleagues attempted to reconvene the dissolved Senate in Lagos.
He also acknowledged Babangida’s recent admission that MKO Abiola won the annulled 1993 presidential election, though he noted that the acknowledgment came too late.
