Presidency Denies Lamido’s Claims, Defends Tinubu’s Role in June 12 Struggle

The Presidency has dismissed as false and misleading recent claims by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In an interview with Arise TV, Lamido accused Tinubu of being complicit in the decision by former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida to annul the election believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola. Lamido further alleged that Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mobilized Lagos market women in support of the annulment and claimed Tinubu only joined the pro-democracy movement after General Sani Abacha seized power.

Reacting to the allegations in a statement on Sunday titled “Setting the Record Straight: President Tinubu’s Role in the June 12 Struggle”, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga described Lamido’s comments as “a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.”

Onanuga insisted that Tinubu was a vocal opponent of the annulment and took concrete actions against military rule. “Had his mother supported the annulment, she would have lost her position as leader of market men and women in Lagos. In reality, Tinubu, alongside the Lagos SDP and South-West civil society, strongly condemned the annulment,” he stated.

He added that Tinubu, then a senator, denounced the annulment on the Senate floor in August 1993, calling it “another coup d’état.” After the overthrow of the interim government in November 1993, Onanuga said Tinubu and other senators met in Lagos to plan resistance against military rule. They were arrested and detained by the military but later released under strict surveillance.

Despite his detention, Tinubu reportedly continued to support pro-democracy movements financially, including organizing a major rally that led to the shutdown of the Third Mainland Bridge. He eventually fled Nigeria through Benin Republic and joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in exile.

Onanuga also credited Tinubu with funding several pro-democracy efforts, such as the United Democratic Front of Nigeria (UDFN), Radio Kudirat, and Prof. Wole Soyinka’s NALICON, all of which campaigned internationally for democratic restoration in Nigeria.

“President Tinubu risked his life, lost assets, and went into forced exile in the fight for democracy,” the statement read. “Meanwhile, Lamido and his political allies at the time, including the late Tony Anenih, surrendered the people’s mandate without resistance and stood on the wrong side of history.”

The Presidency concluded by accusing Lamido of attempting to rewrite history due to “tall poppy syndrome,” stating:

“The facts remain clear: President Tinubu was—and remains—a steadfast advocate for democracy, in contrast to the record of Lamido and others who capitulated in the face of military oppression.”