How Tinubu Rejected Ministerial Offer from Yar’Adua – Ex-Presidential Aide Reveals

An ex-presidential aide recounts how President Bola Tinubu declined a ministerial appointment from late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, shedding light on their political history.

Babafemi Ojudu, who previously served as Special Adviser on Political Matters to former President Muhammadu Buhari, shared how he and other associates convinced President Bola Tinubu to reject the position of Minister of Finance under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

During an appearance on the State Affairs podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo on Monday, Ojudu clarified that the decision was taken to protect Tinubu’s political career.

During that period, Tinubu served as the leader of the Action Congress (AC), an opposition party.

Ojudu pointed out that accepting the ministerial position could have entailed considerable political risks for Tinubu, possibly undermining his opposition stance and future aspirations.

Ojudu recounted how one day Tinubu called him and said, “Congratulations to me.” When Ojudu asked what the congratulations were for, Tinubu told him that former President Yar’Adua had invited him to join his unity government as Minister of Finance.

The journalist reported that he promptly alerted Tinubu to the possible consequences of the decision, referencing Bola Ige—a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice—who was assassinated under contentious circumstances.

He stated, “I told him, ‘You are in the Action Congress. Aren’t you aware of history? Don’t you see what happened to Bola Ige? You will be digging your political grave if you take that kind of job.’”

Rauf Aregbesola, a former Governor of Osun State and close associate of Tinubu, allegedly participated in the conversation and backed Ojudu’s position.

He mentioned, “Rauf came in and stated, ‘Femi is correct; that job isn’t one to accept.’”

A businessman entered and remarked, “You all are too extreme. This initiative will be advantageous for everyone.” However, I maintained my stance: “We aren’t interested in that kind of advantage; our aim is to ensure his political survival.”

“He is our leader, and we envision a future for him that extends beyond serving as a minister in Yar’Adua’s government. Unfortunately, nine months later, they would arrest him, put him on trial, and ultimately eliminate him—just like they did to Bola Ige.”

Ojudu also responded to accusations of betrayal during the 2023 presidential election, where he supported former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo over Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress nomination.

He rejected the claims, stressing that their differing visions at the time were not personal.

He expressed that, “We can’t argue. It’s simply that our visions are headed in different directions. I just attended Bayo Onanuga’s daughter’s wedding. When people saw me there, they remarked on how unexpected my presence was.”

I said to them, “Do you think we’re in competition with each other? It’s not personal. To me, loyalty to friendship is less important than sacrificing for the country.”