Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has refuted former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was one of those who tormented Tinubu during the military era.
Osinbajo made the remark while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja last week.
Osinbajo’s Take on Tinubu’s Struggles Under the Military
While speaking at the event, Osinbajo recalled how Tinubu, who was a senator at the time, resisted the military’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a lighthearted comment, Osinbajo noted that Tinubu—who was then tormented by the military, including Babangida—was now present to celebrate one of his former adversaries.
Babangida Was an Influence, Not a Tormentor—Onanuga
However, speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Onanuga countered Osinbajo’s assertion, stating that Babangida was actually a major influence on 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 in his own speech at the event, Tinubu acknowledged that Babangida inspired him to go into politics,” Onanuga stated.
He explained that Babangida’s call for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s attracted several technocrats and private sector professionals—including Tinubu—into politics.
Tinubu’s Real Struggles Came Under Abacha
The presidential aide clarified that Tinubu’s real challenges with the military began under General Sani Abacha, when he and some lawmakers attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
Onanuga also commended Babangida’s recent admission that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, but noted that such acknowledgment came too late.