2023: My Life, Family Threatened Over Tinubu’s Ambition – Ojudu

By Ayodele Oni

Presidential Aide, Babafemi Ojudu, has alleged that his life and that of family members have been under threat for not backing the Presidential ambition of former Lagos state Governor, Bola Tinubu.

In a statement titled “Principled Political Choices are not Betrayal,” Ojudu claimed that he had in the past worked with the APC leader and wrote good things about him.

“I and Bola Tinubu have come a long way, and we have been there for each other. So let no one use my acknowledgment of his good deeds and my refusal not to support him in his bid for Nigeria’s Presidency to portray me as a betrayer.

“Tinubu remains my leader and I will forever cherish him and the contributions he made to my Organisation during our fight against the military.

“He, however, knows I don’t follow the herd. I make my choices based on very rigid parameters . He will tell you I am very Independent in my actions and ways.

“Tinubu will tell you that whatever and whoever Ojudu is committed to, he is in for 100 percent commitment

“On this matter of 2023, I wish him well, but I cannot, in good conscience, give him my support or cast my vote for him in the coming primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years of age for God’s sake. I, almost, died seeking this inalienable democratic rights, held up in detention, and severally tortured. Your god is not my god.

“Let no one think he can brow-beat, or blackmail me to do what does not go with my conscience or my ideals. Enough of your phone threats and embarrassment of my family members.

“I know Tinubu. I respect and adore him. Many of his latter day supporters do not even know him.  If they do, they won’t resort to emotional and physical blackmail.

“When Tinubu decided to go against Afenifere and the Yoruba elders in 2003 by not supporting President Olusegun Obasanjo, he wasn’t betraying the Yoruba nation or a traitor to Afenifere.

“He made a choice and history has been his judge. Let history be my own judge too.

“When he supported Chief Olu Falae against Chief Bola Ige , our respected leader, who for him to emerge candidate of Alliance for Democracy in Lagos, no one shouted betrayal.

“For the irritants who have been sending threat messages or calling to abuse me for not supporting Tinubu, do know that is not democracy. It is something else.

“I spent my youth years fighting autocracy and intolerance of the military, and I am still willing and ready, even now, to stand up for what I believe, even if it will cost me my death.”