Babafemi Ojudu, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared the backstory of how he and other allies persuaded President Bola Tinubu to turn down 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, Ojudu revealed that the decision was crucial to safeguarding Tinubu’s political trajectory as leader of the Action Congress.
Ojudu recounted Tinubu’s excitement upon receiving the offer from Yar’Adua to join a government of national unity. “Tinubu called me one day and said, ‘Congratulations to me.’ I asked, ‘Congratulations for what?’ He then told me Yar’Adua had invited him to be Minister of Finance,” Ojudu said.
However, Ojudu cautioned Tinubu about the risks involved, pointing to the assassination of Bola Ige, a former Attorney-General, and Minister of Justice, under contentious circumstances. “I said, ‘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,’” he warned.
The conversation expanded to include Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally of Tinubu and former Osun State Governor, who supported Ojudu’s concerns. “Rauf walked in and said, ‘Femi is right; that is not a job to take,’” Ojudu added.
Despite differing opinions from a businessman present, who viewed the role as a potential benefit, Ojudu and Aregbesola stood firm. “I insisted, ‘No, we are not looking for this type of benefit. We are looking for his political survival. Our dream for him is bigger than him becoming a minister in Yar’Adua’s government,’” Ojudu recounted.
Reflecting on Tinubu’s eventual rejection of the offer, Ojudu emphasized their foresight in protecting Tinubu’s political future.
Addressing allegations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, where he supported Yemi Osinbajo over Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress ticket, Ojudu dismissed the claims. He explained that their differing political visions were not personal.
“We cannot quarrel. It is about our vision taking different routes,” he stated. “Loyalty to friendship is on a lesser scale than sacrifice for the country.”
Ojudu’s remarks offer a glimpse into the strategic decisions that shaped Tinubu’s political career and underline the long-term vision of his allies.
