16th April, 2022
Former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo offered the role of Attorney-General of the Federation to Yemi Osinbajo in 2005 but the Vice President rejected it.
A veteran journalist, Mustapha Ogunsakin, stated this on Friday while addressing newsmen as mixed reactions continued to trail Osinbajo’s declaration to run for the 2023 presidency.
Ogunsakin was reacting to attacks on the vice president by some political opponents trying to brand him a betrayer because of his presidential ambition.
The veteran journalist said: “In 2005, President Obasanjo invited Osinbajo to take an 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 make his decision.”
He said that Osinbajo then 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.
He, however, 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 criticizing 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.”