Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has challenged former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s characterization of former military President Ibrahim Babangida as Tinubu’s tormentor.
During the launch of Babangida’s autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja last week, Osinbajo, who served as the book’s reviewer, recalled how Tinubu, then a senator, opposed the military government’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. He quipped that Tinubu, who faced challenges from the military, including Babangida, was present to honor one of his tormentors.
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However, Onanuga disputed this narrative during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday. He noted that Babangida was, in fact, an inspiration for Tinubu’s entry into politics. “I think the former Vice President got it wrong. Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu,” he said, adding that Tinubu had previously expressed admiration for Babangida’s influence on his political journey.
Onanuga explained that Babangida’s era emphasized the rise of new breed politicians, prompting many, including Tinubu, to shift from technocratic and private business roles into politics. “Tinubu came to pay homage,” he remarked, countering Osinbajo’s retrospective view.
Additionally, Onanuga clarified that any real torment for Tinubu began later under General Sani Abacha when he and other lawmakers tried to reconvene the Senate in Lagos. He acknowledged Babangida’s late admission that MKO Abiola won the 1993 election but noted that it came after significant delays.
