Mustapha Ogunsakin, a journalist, says Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is not a betrayer as being peddled by his traducers as he declined offer to become Attorney-General of the Federation under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, instead keeping faith with the government of former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu.
Mr Osinbajo, a former Lagos attorney general, has come under bitter mudslinging from supporters of Mr Tinubu for daring to declare interest in running for president in 2023, rivaling his former boss who is also pursuing the office he described as his “lifelong ambition.”
On Good Friday, Abuja, the nation’s capital, was flooded with posters depicting the vice president as a betrayer.
The caption on the now heavily criticised poster bearing Mr Osinbajo downcast image read: “The Judas betrayed his master. Repent because Jesus is coming.”
In reaction to the attacks, Mr Ogunsakin released an article stating how Mr Osinbajo had decided to reject the juicy offer from Mr Obasanjo, preferring to stay with the then-embattled Lagos governor.
“In 2005, President Obasanjo invited Osinbajo to take appointment as the Attorney-General of the Federation after Chief Akin Olujimi left office,” narrates Mr Ogunsakin.
“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 make his decision.”
Mr Ogunsakin claimed that Mr Osinbajo made a request to Mr Obasanjo to release Lagos State Council funds which the then-president had embargoed.
“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,” the journalist noted.
Mr Ogunsakin stressed that Mr Osinbajo not only stood with Mr 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 Mr 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.”
(NAN)
