Braithwaite’s Family Criticizes Obasanjo’s Remarks About Late Patriarch at IBB’s Book Launch

The family of the late legal luminary, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, has condemned former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent comments about their father at the book launch of former military president General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), describing them as “offensive” and an attempt to tarnish his legacy.

The Braithwaite family, in a rejoinder issued by Olumide Braithwaite, one of the late activist’s sons, stated that Obasanjo’s remarks—referring to Dr. Braithwaite as “such a character” and accusing him of “bad belle” (resentment)—were a misguided attempt to undermine a legacy built on integrity and dedication to justice. Olumide Braithwaite emphasized that their father’s legacy stood unchallenged and did not require titles or self-promotion.

He firmly stated, “It is not, and never will be in Obasanjo’s place to use Tunji Braithwaite’s name as a punching bag. While he was alive, it never happened.” He likened the late Braithwaite’s enduring influence to that of a lion whose name remains powerful even in death.

The Braithwaite family also accused Obasanjo of rewriting history and downplaying Braithwaite’s lifelong commitment to democratic ideals and resistance to military regimes. They recalled how Braithwaite was a vocal critic of all military juntas in Nigeria, including those led by Obasanjo, Babangida, and Abacha. Olumide Braithwaite highlighted his father’s legal defense of Fela Anikulapo Kuti against Obasanjo’s regime in 1978 and his founding of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), which faced severe opposition from the military government.

The family also noted the personal sacrifices Dr. Braithwaite made, from wrongful detentions to threats on his life, all in the pursuit of democracy and justice.

In contrast to Obasanjo’s comments, Olumide Braithwaite praised President Bola Tinubu for acknowledging Dr. Braithwaite’s influence on his political philosophy during the IBB book launch. He recalled that President Tinubu had openly credited Dr. Braithwaite as an inspiration, emphasizing that his father’s life transcended politics and represented courage, justice, and patriotism.

The family concluded by stating that a more fitting tribute from Obasanjo would have been to recognize Dr. Tunji Braithwaite as an exemplary nationalist who had a profound impact on Nigerian society without ever holding public office.