The Presidency has strongly denied claims by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election
Lamido, in a recent interview with Arise TV, alleged that Tinubu was “hand-in-glove with Babangida,” the military ruler who annulled the election believed to have been won by Moshood Abiola. He also claimed that Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mobilized Lagos market women to support Babangida’s action.
According to Lamido, Tinubu only began identifying with the June 12 struggle after General Sani Abacha took over power, adding, “I feel highly entertained by Tinubu’s rhetoric, the way he’s dramatising his role in Nigeria’s democracy.”
In response, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga issued a statement on Sunday titled “Setting the Record Straight: President Tinubu’s Role in the June 12 Struggle”, describing Lamido’s remarks as “a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.”
Onanuga said the allegations were “patently false,” noting that if Tinubu’s mother had truly supported the annulment, she would have lost her influence as leader of Lagos market traders.
He stated that Tinubu, as a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and a senator at the time, publicly condemned the annulment on the floor of the Senate on August 19, 1993, describing it as “another coup d’état.”
The statement further detailed Tinubu’s activism following the military takeover, including his arrest, surveillance, and eventual escape into exile, where he continued to support the pro-democracy movement as a member of NADECO.
“Despite being under constant threat, Tinubu funded rallies, including one that blocked the Third Mainland Bridge while he was still in detention,” Onanuga said. He also credited Tinubu with supporting initiatives like Radio Kudirat, the United Democratic Front of Nigeria (UDFN), and Prof. Wole Soyinka’s NALICON.
“President Tinubu risked his life, lost assets, and endured exile for the sake of democracy,” he added. “In contrast, Lamido and his associates stood on the wrong side of history and were part of the betrayal that denied Nigerians their mandate.”
The Presidency accused Lamido of attempting to downplay Tinubu’s contributions out of envy, branding his comments as an example of “tall poppy syndrome.”
“The facts remain clear: President Tinubu was—and remains—a steadfast advocate for democracy,” the statement concluded.
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