"Hard Facts": Reactions as Osinbajo Calls Babangida Tinubu's Ex-Tormentor

"Hard Facts": Reactions as Osinbajo Calls Babangida Tinubu's Ex-Tormentor

  • Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice president of Nigeria, has recalled how General Ibrahim Babangida, tormented President Bola Tinubu with the annulment of the June 12, 1999, presidential election
  • Osinbajo commented while reviewing the autobiography of the former military president in Abuja on Thursday, February 20
  • The former vice president's comment, which was laughed at by the dignitaries, has started generating reactions from Nigerians

Nigerians have started reacting to the address of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the book launch of the former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, an event which was equally attended by President Bola Tinubu and other former presidents in Nigeria.

The former vice president commented while reviewing the ex-military leader's autobiography titled “A Journey in Service” at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday, February 20.

Nigerians reacted as former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described former military President Ibrahim Babangida as ex-Tinubu's tormentor.
Yemi Osinbajo comments on Ibrahim Babangida's book President Bola Tinubu watches Photo Credit: @ProfOsinbajo, @aonanuga1956
Source: Twitter

Osinbajo recalled how President Tinubu, who was a senator during the period, fought against the dissolution of the Senate under late General Sani Abacha, after the June 12, 1993, presidential election was nullified.

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The former vice president said:

“When Babangida annulled the 1993 elections and Abacha took over, dissolving the Senate, that senator tried to reconstitute the Senate in resistance to the dissolution. He was detained, faced charges in court, and escaped into exile. Today, he is also here to celebrate with his former tormentors as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."

Babangida's book: Nigerians react to Osinbajo's comment

While dignitaries at the event laughed at the comment and clapped, some Nigerians took to social media to express their reactions, with some saying Osinbajo told the fact to the former military leader's face.

President Bola Tinubu met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida
Bola Tinubu meets Ibrahim Babangida ad Olusegun Obasanjo Photo Credit: @aonanuga1956
Source: Twitter

Below are some of their reactions:

Genie’s Genes said:

"For right-thinking people, this doesn’t call for a round of applause but a sober reflection on what is your philosophy and what you stand for but this is Nigeria, we laugh at those who died in the struggle and dine with the killers as long as we have a sit at the table."

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June 12: How Tinubu reacted to Babangida's confession, video trends

Toba Shagari tweeted:

"You called it "jokes?" This is a professor reminding IBB of his atrocities while serving as a military dictator. There's nothing like jokes here but hard facts told in a comic fashion. What goes around comes around. There is always time for everything."

Geebonez wrote:

"And they are laughing thinking it's a joke, even if it's meant as a joke it shows that as a country we lack principles celebrating someone who supposedly disrupted democratic republic by annulling elections."

Ifiok Davids reacted:

"People think Osinbajo is making a joke, but the man is deliberately reminding all parties of their role in the devastation that wrecked Nigeria. And while all these men have flourished at the expense of civilians and soldiers who died needlessly, Nigeria suffers to date from it."

Tope Peters commented:

"One thing I like Prof Osibanjo for is his tactical and subtle way of mocking his opponents and detractors."

Read also

“We acted in extreme national interest”: Babangida speaks on June 12 annulment

See the former vice president's video here:

Tinubu reveals how Babangida inspired him

Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu had recalled occasions when former military head of state General Ibrahim Babangida inspired him to venture into politics.

The president recalled when Babangida summoned him and others that he wanted young Nigerians to join politics.

Tinubu further recalled when he challenged Babangida and thought he would end up in jail but the then-military leader gave him a handshake for being courageous.

Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng

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Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with 7 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Legit’s Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023). Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng