A veteran journalist, Mr. Mustapha Ogunsakin, has revealed how Vice President Yemi Osinbajo turned down President Olusegun Obasanjo’s offer to become the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in 2005.
Ogunsakin’s revelation, made available to newsmen at the weekend in Abuja, came as mixed reactions continued to trail Osinbajo’s declaration to run for the post of president in 2023.
There have been personal attacks on the vice president by some political opponents trying to brand him a betrayer because of his presidential ambition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted Ogunsakin as saying in the statement that: “In 2005, President Obasanjo invited Osinbajo to take appointment as the Attorney-General of the Federation after Chief Akin Olujimi left office.
“Obasanjo saw the sterling qualities and performance that Osinbajo had as Attorney General of Lagos.
“The president without informing Bola Tinubu, the then Lagos State Governor, offered the post to Osinbajo who was then Lagos State Attorney-General.
“The first thing Osinbajo did was to inform his principal, Tinubu, who gave him a free hand to take his decision,” Ogunsakin said.
He said that Osinbajo made a request to Obasanjo to release Lagos State Council funds.
“Obasanjo replied that Osinbajo should first take the appointment and then advise him as Attorney-General of the Federation on the matter.
“Osinbajo went underground and for weeks Obasanjo could no longer reach him.
“It was obvious to the then president that Osinbajo deliberately avoided him; he went on to appoint Chief Bayo Ojo as his Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
“Osinbajo rejected the position of Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice and stayed with Tinubu; nobody complained then,” he said.
Ogunsakin said Osinbajo not only stood with Tinubu, but stayed loyal to Lagos State, adding that” he did not betray Tinubu then.’’
He cautioned those calling Osinbajo a betrayer.
“But now when it is convenient for them, some political and religious bigots are shouting betrayal!
“Everyone knows that if you want to hear the story of how your father met your mother, join politics,” he said.
He urged anyone criticising Osinbajo over his presidential ambition to do so based on valid facts and ” not lazy, religious and political lies that reveal your foolishness and hatred for a man who is doing his best to make his country and people better.”
Osinbajo will contest the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential ticket with seven other contestants including Tinubu, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and Governor Yahaya Bello.
Other aspirants are former governors of Abia and Imo states, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Rochas Okorocha, and Sani Yerima.
Ugo Aliogo
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