Babafemi Ojudu

Babafemi Ojudu (born 27 March 1961) is a Nigerian journalist who was elected Senator for the Ekiti Central constituency of Ekiti State, Nigeria, in the April 2011 national elections. He ran on the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) platform.

Early life and education

Babafemi Ojudu was born on 27 March 1961 at Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti State. He attended Ado Grammar School in Ado-Ekiti (1973–77).

Journalism

In 1987, Ojudu started writing for African Concord magazine, initially as a staff writer and moving up to become assistant editor. The job involved extensive travel in Nigeria and to other African countries. In 1992 he resigned in protest at a request by M.K.O. Abiola, the publisher, to apologise to President Ibrahim Babangida over an article critical of the military regime. In 1993 Ojudu and other former workers from African Concord established TheNEWS magazine, with Ojudu as its first managing editor.

Ojudu was arrested, tortured and detained several times during the Sani Abacha regime (1993–1998). Later in 1996 Ojudu went to the US for six months as a fellow at the School of Communications, Howard University, Washington, D.C.. On his return in June 1997 he was appointed Group Managing Editor of Independent Communications Network Ltd, publishers of TheNEWS magazine, P.M. News and Tempo.

In addition to his managing editor work, both before and after the return to democracy, Ojudu has been a member or chairman of several organizations and committees involved in media and human rights. The 10 January 2011 primaries for ACN candidate for the Ekiti Central Senatorial seat were held in three of the five local government areas (LGAs) that make up the Senatorial district, and Ojudu won in all three. The primaries for the other two LGAs were rescheduled, but were ultimately not held. The ACN submitted Ojudu's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as their candidate for Ekiti Central. However, on 17 March 2011 a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a judgment that recognized the incumbent Senator Festus Bode-Ola as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate for Ekiti Central. On 31 March 2011 the Federal High Court in Abuja set aside its 17 March judgment.

On 7 January 2016 Ojudu was named Special Adviser Political Matters by President Muhammadu Buhari.