2023: Babafemi Ojudu Break Silence, Reveals Why he Won’t Support Tinubu’s Presidential Ambition

By Ogundele Olanrewaju

Babafemi Ojudu, the senior special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on political matters, has joined the list of those not in favor of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu becoming Nigeria’s next president.

Ojudu, an associate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader on Tuesday, January 18, inisted that he will not support the presidential ambition of Tinubu.

He made the remark in a statement titled, ‘Principled Political Choices are not Betrayal’ which was shared on his Facebook page.

According to the former lawmaker who represented Ekiti Central Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, said he could not in good conscience support Tinubu for the presidency, adding that he would not be intimidated by those describing him as a traitor.

Ojudu, a strong campaigner for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to be the next president, recounted how Tinubu opposed Afenifere elders in 2003 by not supporting President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The presidential aide also recalled that the APC national leader supported Chief Olu Falae against Bola Ige, who fought for him to emerge as the candidate of Alliance for Democracy in Lagos state.

He said:“On this matter of 2023 I wish him well but I cannot in good conscience give him my support or cast my vote for him in the coming primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years of age for God sake.

I almost died seeking these inalienable democratic rights, held up in detention and severally tortured. Your god is not my god.For the irritants who have been sending threat messages to me and members of my family or calling to abuse me for not supporting Tinubu, do know that is not democracy.

It is something else. I spent my youth years fighting autocracy and intolerance of the military and I am still willing and ready, even now, to stand up for what I believe ,even if it will cost me my life. Enough said.”

Earlier, Chief Babafemi Ojudu, Says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will soon announce whether or not he will contest for APC’s presidential ticket in 2023.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, January 12, Ojudu said many politicians have been trooping to his office to find out whether or not Osinbajo will run for president in 2023.

The presidential aide gave assurance that the vice president will answer the question very soon.

He wrote:”My office has become a Mecca of a sort for politicos.Visiting today were two giants of Kano politics Dr Kabir Nakaura and Prof Hafiz Abubakar. Nakaura is a friend and school mate to late President Umaru Yar’Adua from primary school to university .

“Professor Abubakar was Deputy Governor in Kano. The question everyone came to find answer to is will Osinbajo run or will he not run. That question will be answered very soon.”

Meanwhile, following news report that he attacked the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Orji Kalu, has dismissed the allegation.

According to Kalu, he cannot attack Tinubu because their friendship is deep-rooted, Punch Newspaper reports.

The Senate chief whip, through his media office, said: “I told Nigerians that I would contest against Tinubu if the ticket is zoned to the South. APC is a democratic party that allows every qualified member to vote and be voted for.

It is not owned or managed by an individual. If I said I was going to contest against Tinubu doesn’t mean I attacked him. I cannot attack him for any reason.

“It is sad that few elements are trying to twist my statement to score cheap political goal. I am not distracted.

My friendship with Tinubu is deep-rooted and I am not quarrelling with him. I am not against his ambition of becoming the president. It is the choice of the party to determine who becomes her presidential candidate.”