Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has shared how he and other close allies convinced President Bola Tinubu to turn down an offer to become Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.
In an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, Ojudu recounted that Tinubu had called him to share the news, saying, “Congratulations to me.” Confused, Ojudu responded, “Congratulations for what?” Tinubu explained that President Yar’Adua had invited him to join his administration as Minister of Finance.
Ojudu quickly warned Tinubu about the potential political dangers, comparing the situation to that of Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was tragically assassinated under suspicious circumstances.
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“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 staunch ally of Tinubu and former Governor of Osun State, backed Ojudu’s position, emphasizing that accepting the ministerial appointment would jeopardize Tinubu’s political future.
A businessman also offered his perspective, proposing that the offer could be advantageous for all parties involved. However, Ojudu stood his ground.
He cautioned that accepting the position could result in Tinubu facing arrest, trial, and potentially even death, drawing a parallel to the fate of 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.”
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