A veteran journalist, Mustapha Ogunsakin has recounted how
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo rejected former President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s
offer to become Attorney-General of the Federal in 2005.
Ogunsakin said Osinbajo rejected Obasanjo’s offer and stayed
loyal to Bola Tinubu, who was then governor of Lagos State.
Osinbajo served eight years as Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State when Tinubu was the governor between
1999 and 2007.
However, Ogunsakin said Obasanjo made the offer following
Osinbajo’s sterling qualities as then Commissioner.
The veteran journalist disclosed this while addressing
newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
He was reacting to reactions trailing Osinbajo’s
presidential declaration.
Following his declaration, Osinbajo was accused of betraying
Tinubu who is also running for the Presidency.
Dismissing this claim, Ogunsakin said: “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.”
He disclosed that Osinbajo made a request to Obasanjo to
release Lagos State Council funds, but the former president refused.
Upon his refusal, Osinbajo was said to have rejected
Obasanjo’s offer to become AGF.
“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 did not betray Tinubu then.
“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.
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