Aregbesola Reveals How He And Tinubu Blocked From Joining Yar’Adua’s Government As Minister

Babafemi Ojudu, former Special Adviser on Political Matters to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, has revealed how he and other associates convinced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to turn down an offer to become the Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ojudu shared this story during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo.

He explained that accepting the ministerial position could have jeopardized Tinubu’s political future, as he was the leader of the Action Congress at the time.

Ojudu recounted, “Tinubu called me one day and congratulated me. I asked, ‘For what?’ He told me that former President Yar’Adua had reached out, offering him the position of Minister of Finance in his unity government.”

Immediately, Ojudu advised Tinubu against accepting the offer, warning him of the political risks, and referenced the tragic fate of Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who was assassinated under suspicious circumstances.

“I said, ‘You are in Action Congress. Don’t you know what happened to Bola Ige? If you accept that position, you’ll be digging your own political grave,’” he recalled.

Rauf Aregbesola, a close ally and former Governor of Osun State, joined the conversation, agreeing with Ojudu’s caution.

Aregbesola said, “Femi is right; that is not a job you should take.”

Despite a businessman present at the meeting who suggested the role would be beneficial for Tinubu, Ojudu remained resolute, emphasizing that the decision was crucial for Tinubu’s long-term political survival.

“He is our leader. Our vision for him is much bigger than him simply becoming a minister in Yar’Adua’s government. Nine months later, they would arrest him, try him, and destroy him — just like they did to Bola Ige,” he stated.

Ojudu also addressed the allegations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, when he supported former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo for the All Progressives Congress ticket instead of Tinubu.