“Tinubu had just won the election as governor of Lagos state (1999) and days after, we met on the 6th floor of Kresta Laurel at Maryland, which Otunba Gbenga Daniel donated for our use.
On this day, Tinubu shared with us some of the ‘certain’ appointments he intended to make. Those who were at the meeting were Otunba Daniel, Dele Alake and I. Tinubu [said] attorney-general will be Bayo Oriola.
I shot back and said: ‘I have a better person for you’, my exact words. Tinubu was startled by my interjection. ‘He is a Law Professor and the man who drafted our company’s MOU. He crafted it in a brilliant way that protected us from the founding partners. Without this, the other shareholders would have thrown us out’, I explained.
I also said Osinbajo had worked with prince Bola Ajibola, who was the attorney-general and Minister of Justice under President Babangida.
Dele and Otunba Daniel did not oppose my nomination, surprisingly. Tinubu also appeared eager to meet the ‘wonder lawyer’ that I had just sold to him, to replace a man, who had served as the lawyer to the campaign
After the meeting, I went to Osinbajo’s house in Ogudu to invite him to meet the new governor, Bola Tinubu. I remember entering the apartment from the kitchen. The wife was there when I delivered the message and left the house with him, later.
Looking back now, do I regret what I did in January 1999? Yes, I would say I have some regret, especially since my action hurt Bayo Oriola. And my apology to Oriola once again. I could not have foreseen today’s turn of events between Tinubu and Osinbajo, who I nominated to be justice commissioner.”
Bayo Onanuga on how he recommended Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to Bola Tinubu. Osinbajo later became Vice President in the administration of Muhammadu Buhari while Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos between 1999 and 2007, is the current President of Nigeria. Onanuga, former managing director of TheNEWS/PM NEWS, is the current spokesperson for Tinubu.
