Onanuga Clarifies: Babangida Was Not Tinubu’s Tormentor, Counters Osinbajo’s Claim

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, has dismissed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida tormented Bola Tinubu during the military era.

Osinbajo made the statement while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its recent launch in Abuja. He reflected on Tinubu’s role as a senator during the tumultuous period following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, suggesting that Tinubu faced challenges from the military regime, including Babangida.

However, during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Onanuga countered this narrative. He asserted that Babangida was not Tinubu’s adversary but rather a catalyst for his political journey.

“I believe the former Vice President misinterpreted the situation. Babangida was not a tormentor of President Tinubu. In fact, Tinubu himself acknowledged that Babangida inspired his entry into politics,” Onanuga explained.

He highlighted Babangida’s advocacy for “new-breed” politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which drew several technocrats and professionals, including Tinubu, into politics.

Onanuga clarified that Tinubu’s real conflict with the military came under General Sani Abacha’s regime when Tinubu and some lawmakers attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos, leading to a series of political struggles.

The presidential aide also praised Babangida for finally acknowledging that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election, though he expressed regret that such recognition came long after the event.

This clarification aims to correct the public record regarding Tinubu’s political history and Babangida’s influence, offering a more accurate understanding of Nigeria’s political evolution.