Tinubu’s Aide Sets Record Straight, Says Babangida Wasn’t President’s Tormentor

• Bayo Onanuga refuted Osinbajo’s claim that Babangida tormented Tinubu, citing Babangida as an inspiration for Tinubu’s politics

• Tinubu’s real challenges with the military began under General Sani Abacha, not Babangida, according to Onanuga

Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, has refuted former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s claim that former military President Ibrahim Babangida tormented Tinubu during the military era.

Onanuga insisted that Babangida was, in fact, a key influence on Tinubu’s political journey.

Osinbajo remarked while reviewing Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service, at its public presentation in Abuja. 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.

Osinbajo suggested that Tinubu, once “tormented” by Babangida’s military regime, was now present to celebrate one of his former adversaries.

However, speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Onanuga countered the claim, stating, “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 explained that Babangida’s call for new-breed politicians in the late 1980s and early 1990s encouraged many technocrats and private sector professionals, including Tinubu, to enter politics. “The military president had talked about bringing in fresh faces, and many professionals, including Tinubu, heeded that call. So, he went there (the book launch) to pay homage,” Onanuga added.

He clarified that Tinubu’s real challenges with the military began under General Sani Abacha when he and some lawmakers attempted to reconvene the Senate in Lagos. “That was when the real problem started, not under Babangida. Under Abacha, Tinubu was a key figure in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which was fighting for the restoration of democracy,” he said.

Onanuga also commended Babangida for recently admitting that Chief MKO Abiola won the 1993 presidential election but noted that the acknowledgement came too late. “It’s good that he has finally acknowledged that Abiola won the election, but it’s a bit too late. The damage has been done, and the country has moved on,” he said.