Babafemi Ojudu, former senator and APC chieftain, has publicly ruled out serving in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, citing a longstanding personal stance against seeking political appointments. In a statement titled "A Personal Declaration of Conscience" posted on his Facebook page Thursday, Mr Ojudu said he has neither sought nor will accept any position in the current government. "I do not covet any position in this government. I have neither sought nor lobbied for one… This is not a recent posture," he wrote, emphasizing that his position has been consistent "without equivocation, without double-speak." He reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC, stating he does not believe in party defection for convenience, and described himself as part of a "conscientious objectors" bloc within the party—loyal but willing to speak out. Mr Ojudu stressed that his decision is not driven by animosity toward President Tinubu but by personal principles, adding, "I am not seeking a job. I will not accept one if offered… it is an expression of fidelity to my own principles." He condemned the spread of misinformation, revealing that a "long-time associate" circulated a misleading video suggesting he was seeking government appointment. He referenced his detention during the Sani Abacha regime, saying, "I did not yield then. I will not yield now."
Babafemi Ojudu's refusal to serve isn't defiance—it's a rare public insistence on personal integrity in a political culture that equates silence with loyalty. By anchoring his stance in past resistance during military rule, he draws a line between patriotism and opportunism. For Nigerians, this signals that dissent within the APC does not always mean disloyalty, even if such voices rarely shape policy. His experience under Abacha gives weight to his words, but whether such principles gain traction in today's politics remains doubtful.
