Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has dismissed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that former military President Ibrahim Babangida was among those who tormented Tinubu during the military era.
Osinbajo made the remark while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, during its public presentation in Abuja last week.
Recalling events from the early ’90s, Osinbajo highlighted how Tinubu, then serving as a senator, stood firm against the military’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
He noted that Tinubu, who was then “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, was now present to celebrate one of his former adversaries.
However, speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme on Tuesday, February 25, Onanuga countered the claim, insisting that Babangida was 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 said.
“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.
He 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.
