How Osinbajo Declined Obasanjo’s Offer To Dump Tinubu For AGF Appointment In 2005 

Following the mixed reactions trailing the declaration by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to contest for the 2023 presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a veteran and award winning journalist, Mustapha Ogunsakin has revealed how the professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, declined former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s offer to dump Ahmed Bola Tinubu to become the Attorney General of the Federation.

Prof. Osinbajo was then the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in Lagos State.

Ogunsakin’s revelation is coming on the heels of personal attacks being heaped on Osinbajo by some political opponents, trying to brand him a betrayer because he threw his hat in the ring.

Revealing how Osinbajo turned down Obasanjo’s offer, Ogunsakin in an article titled “Attacking Osinbajo” said in 2005, President Olusegun Obasanjo invited Osinbajo to take appointment as the Attorney General of the Federation after Chief Akin Olujimi SAN left office.

According to Ogunsakin; “Obasanjo saw the sterling qualities and performance of Osinbajo as Attorney General of Lagos. The President without informing Tinubu offered the post to the Lagos AG. The first thing Osinbajo did was to inform his principal, Tinubu, who gave him a free hand to take his decision.

“Osinbajo made a request to Obasanjo to release Lagos 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 President that Osinbajo deliberately avoided him. He went on to appoint Chief Bayo Ojo SAN as his AGF and Minister of Justice.

“Osinbajo rejected the position of AGF and Minister of Justice and stayed with Tinubu! Nobody complained then.

“Osinbajo not only stood with Tinubu, but stayed loyal to Lagos State. He did not betray Tinubu then,” Oginsakin stressed.

Cautioning those calling Osinbajo a betrayer, Ogunsakin said; “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.”

Ogunsakin therefore counseled those criticising Osinbajo on account of his declaration for the presidency to do so on valid facts and not lazy, religious and political lies that reveal their foolishness and hatred for a man who is doing his best to make his country and people better.