Babafemi Ojudu, the former Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how he and other allies persuaded President Bola Tinubu to reject an offer to serve as Minister of Finance, under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
Ohudu, in an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, recalled that Tinubu had called him to inform him of the offer, saying, “Congratulations to me.”
Ojudu, puzzled, said he had asked at the time, “Congratulations for what?” to which Tinubu replied that former President Yar’Adua had invited him to join his government as Minister of Finance.
Ojudu said he immediately warned Tinubu about the political risks, drawing a parallel to the fate of Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under controversial circumstances.
“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 quoted himself as saying to Tinubu.
Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally of Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, supported Ojudu’s stance, stressing that accepting the position would be detrimental to Tinubu’s political survival.
A businessman also weighed in, suggesting that the offer could benefit everyone, but Ojudu remained firm.
He warned that accepting the ministerial position would lead to Tinubu’s arrest, trial, and possible demise, similar to what happened to Bola Ige.
He said, “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.”
Ojudu also addressed the allegations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, where he supported former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over Tinubu for the APC ticket, insisting the events were political differences, and not personal.
He also clarified that loyalty to friendship takes a backseat to the country’s interests.
He said, “We cannot quarrel. It is about our vision taking different routes. I just came from Bayo Onanuga’s daughter’s wedding. People saw me and said, We never knew you would come around.
“I told them, Do you think we are boxing each other? It is not personal. For me, loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country.”
