Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga has refuted claims by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that ex-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida tormented President Bola Tinubu during the military era.
Osinbajo made the remark last week while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography A Journey in Service, recalling how Tinubu, then a senator, resisted the military’s dissolution of the Senate after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election.
In a lighthearted moment, Osinbajo noted that Tinubu, once “tormented” by Babangida, was now celebrating his former adversary.
However, speaking on Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Onanuga dismissed the claim, asserting that Babangida was actually instrumental in Tinubu’s political rise.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. Babangida was not Tinubu’s tormentor. In fact, Tinubu himself has credited Babangida with inspiring his entry into politics,” Onanuga said.
He explained that Babangida’s push for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s attracted professionals like Tinubu into public service.
“The military president encouraged fresh faces to join politics, and Tinubu answered that call. That’s why he was at the book launch—to pay homage,” he added.
Onanuga clarified that Tinubu’s real struggles with the military began under General Sani Abacha, when he and some lawmakers attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos.
He also acknowledged Babangida’s recent admission that MKO Abiola won the 1993 election but noted that the recognition came far too late.
