The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has dismissed former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that former military President Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) was among those who tormented Tinubu during the military era.
Osinbajo made the remark while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja last week.
He recalled how Tinubu, then a senator, resisted the military’s dissolution of the Senate following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
In a lighthearted comment, the former Vice President noted that Tinubu, who was once “tormented” by the military, including Babangida, was now present to celebrate one of his former adversaries.
Onanuga Counters Osinbajo’s Claim
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Onanuga refuted Osinbajo’s statement, insisting that IBB was actually a major influence on Tinubu’s political journey.
“I think the former Vice President got it wrong. Babangida was not really a tormentor of President Tinubu. Don’t forget that in his own speech at the event, Tinubu acknowledged that Babangida inspired him to go into politics,” Onanuga said.
He explained that Babangida’s call for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s attracted several technocrats and private-sector professionals, including Tinubu, into politics.
Babangida’s Influence on Tinubu’s Political Journey
During his military rule, Babangida implemented policies that encouraged professionals from the private sector to participate in governance. This initiative led to the emergence of several prominent figures, including Tinubu, who transitioned from the corporate world into politics.
Onanuga emphasized that Tinubu’s entry into politics was influenced by Babangida’s vision of bringing fresh faces into leadership rather than being an act of defiance against the former military ruler.
Tinubu’s political career gained momentum in the early 1990s when he joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), a platform created under Babangida’s transitional program. His participation in the political scene was shaped by Babangida’s structural adjustments and democratic initiatives, which sought to introduce a two-party system and foster political engagement among emerging leaders.
The June 12 Struggle and Tinubu’s Activism
Despite his entry into politics under Babangida’s administration, Tinubu later became a vocal critic of military rule, particularly after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by Moshood Abiola.
He was among those who opposed the military government’s refusal to recognize the election results, joining the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which fought for the restoration of democracy.
Tinubu’s opposition to the regime of General Sani Abacha, Babangida’s successor, led to his exile in the late 1990s.
He returned to Nigeria ahead of the 1999 elections and emerged as the governor of Lagos State, marking the beginning of his influential role in Nigeria’s democratic governance.
Political Implications of the Debate
The conflicting narratives surrounding Tinubu’s relationship with Babangida reflect broader political dynamics in Nigeria. While some see Tinubu as a product of Babangida’s reformist vision, others highlight his role in resisting military rule and fighting for democracy during the June 12 struggle.
Onanuga’s remarks indicate an effort to reshape public perception of Tinubu’s political roots, reinforcing the notion that Babangida played a constructive role in his career.
However, this perspective does not negate the historical realities of Tinubu’s later opposition to military rule.
As political discussions continue to shape Nigeria’s historical and contemporary narratives, this debate further underscores the complex relationships between past and present leaders in the country.
