Ojudu
How We Persuaded Tinubu to Reject Yar’Adua’s Ministerial Offer – Babafemi Ojudu
Babafemi Ojudu, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how he and other associates convinced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to decline an offer to serve as Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Speaking on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Ojudu explained that accepting the position could have jeopardized Tinubu’s political ambitions, as he was the leader of the Action Congress at the time.
Recalling the incident, Ojudu said Tinubu had informed him about the offer, but he immediately cautioned him against it, citing the fate of Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice who was assassinated under suspicious circumstances.
“I told him, ‘You are in Action Congress. Are you not a student of history? Do you not see what happened to Bola Ige? You are digging your political grave if you accept that type of job,’” Ojudu recounted.
According to Ojudu, Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally and former Governor of Osun State, also advised Tinubu against accepting the role. While a businessman present argued in favor of the position, Ojudu remained firm, emphasizing the long-term risks to Tinubu’s political future.
“He is our leader. Our dream for him is bigger than him becoming a minister in Yar’Adua’s government. Nine months down the line, they would arrest him, try him, and finish him off — the way they did to Bola Ige,” he added.
Ojudu also addressed claims of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, where he supported former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress ticket. He dismissed these allegations, stating their differences were based on divergent visions, not personal animosity.
“For me, loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country,” Ojudu said, adding that despite their political differences, his relationship with Tinubu remains cordial.