Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared details about how he and other allies persuaded President Bola Tinubu to decline an offer to serve as Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Speaking on the ‘State Affairs’ podcast, hosted by Edmund Obilo on Monday, Ojudu recounted the pivotal moment, which he believed could have jeopardized Tinubu’s political career.
“Tinubu called me one day and said, ‘Congratulations to me.’ I asked, ‘For what?’ He then informed me that Yar’Adua had invited him to join his government of national unity as Minister of Finance,” Ojudu explained.
Ojudu immediately voiced his concerns, recalling the fate of Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under controversial circumstances during his time in government.
“I told him, ‘You’re in the Action Congress. Are you not a student of history? Look at what happened to Bola Ige. Accepting this role could be digging your political grave,’” he said.
Rauf Aregbesola, another ally of Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, reportedly entered the discussion and supported Ojudu’s position.
“Aregbesola agreed with me, saying, ‘Femi is right; that’s not a job to take,’” Ojudu recalled.
” A businessman present during the discussion argued in favor of accepting the offer, claiming it would benefit everyone”
I dismissed the idea, insisting the long-term political implications for Tinubu outweighed any immediate gains.
“Our dream for him was bigger than becoming a minister in Yar’Adua’s government,” Ojudu explained. “Nine months down the line, they would arrest him, try him, and finish him off—just like they did to Bola Ige.”
Ojudu also addressed allegations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election when he supported former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo instead of Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress ticket.
He denied any personal rift with Tinubu, emphasizing that their differences were based on diverging visions.
“It wasn’t personal. For me, loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country,” he said, adding that he and Tinubu remain on cordial terms.
