Babafemi Ojudu, a former lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District and seasoned journalist, has revealed how he resorted to drinking his own urine to survive while imprisoned under the military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Ojudu, who also served as Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs during Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, shared this account during a media interaction with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, where he discussed his new documentary book titled Adventures of a Guerrilla Journalist.
The book chronicles his struggles for the advancement and preservation of democracy during the military regime and provides a detailed account of his arrest 15 times between 1993 and 1997 as an investigative reporter, along with other life-threatening experiences he faced.
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“There was a time I drank my urine when I was dying. I had diarrhea and no medication was given to me. I read a book about someone who says urine cures illnesses and maybe because I had faith in it, I could not feel the illness again the following day after drinking it,” he said
Ojudu explained that his book is also dedicated to the unwavering commitment and sacrifices of well-meaning Nigerians who “valiantly fought and discharged their duties with conscientious diligence” during the prolonged military rule in Nigeria.
The former senator, who represented Ekiti Central in the National Assembly, emphasized that the highest responsibility any journalist owed to their country and people was to seek the truth, write the truth, and report the truth at all times, without distortion or any consideration for trivial factors.
He also expressed his doubts about some of the current proposals being advocated by Nigerians, particularly regarding constitutional amendments, stating that he did not believe these were the true solutions to the nation’s crisis.
He said: “The real solutions to our myriads of problems are far from what are being suggested. For instance, constitutional review, being suggested is not one of such solutions to Nigeria’s problem, it is simply all about us.
“In the course of performing your duties as a good journalist, tendencies are that you will be waylaid, harassed, intimidated, threatened and so on, and even excommunicated to exile, like I experienced many times. But those were not enough to draw me back, I remained resolute. Without a vibrant press, it will be difficult for a nation to get things right.
“Do not be dissuaded because that was never me. I saw death face to face, but all that did not discourage me from fogging ahead in performing my avowed duties to the nation.”
Ojudu stated that the book is a tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle for a liberated society, an independent press, democratic values, and the pursuit of good governance.
He urged Nigerians to pick up their copies at bookshops in Lagos, Ibadan, and Ekiti, and announced that the book will be officially launched on December 18, 2024.
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