The Nigerian Presidency has responded to former Governor Sule Lamido’s recent allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu supported the annulment of the historic June 12 election, which had declared the late MKO Abiola as the winner.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Presidency Responds to Sule Lamido’s False Claims on Tinubu’s Role in June 12 Crisis

The Presidency has reacted strongly to recent remarks by former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of backing the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The comments, made during a televised appearance, were described as a gross distortion of history and a clear case of political revisionism.

In a statement released Sunday, the Presidency debunked Lamido’s claims that President Tinubu only gained relevance after the formation of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and that his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, rallied market women in support of the annulment.

“These claims are entirely false,” the statement read. “Alhaja Mogaji never mobilised women in favour of the annulment. If she had, she would have lost her leadership position among Lagos market traders. Her relationship with President Babangida ended well before the annulment saga.”

The Presidency pointed out that Lamido, who served as National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—the platform on which MKO Abiola won the election—was part of a leadership that shamefully failed to resist the annulment. Instead, Lamido and the party’s national chairman at the time, Tony Anenih, were accused of aligning with the rival National Republican Convention to subvert the people’s will.

“In contrast,” the statement noted, “Senator Bola Tinubu stood firm against military tyranny even before General Abacha’s coup that dissolved all democratic institutions on November 17, 1993.”

It referenced a Senate debate on August 19, 1993, where Tinubu openly condemned the annulment, calling it a coup against democracy. “This is a self-inflicted crisis,” Tinubu had said. “The government that made the law broke its own law. This is a crime.”

Tinubu was reportedly among the first politicians to stand by Abiola after his return to Nigeria and oppose Abacha’s transition programme. He was later arrested alongside other senators for defying the military regime, funding protests, and refusing to accept the subversion of democracy.

When it became clear Abacha wouldn’t return power to Abiola, Tinubu joined NADECO—formed in May 1994—and went into exile after Abiola was arrested. While abroad, Tinubu continued funding the resistance, including Wole Soyinka’s NALICON, and remained a key force behind the pro-democracy struggle.

“While Tinubu risked his life and assets, Lamido and others were cutting deals with the Abacha junta,” the statement alleged. Tinubu’s home in Lagos was even bombed during this period.

Though Lamido acknowledged Tinubu’s role in NADECO, the Presidency accused him of attempting to downplay the President’s contributions for political reasons. “NADECO was born out of the June 12 struggle and became the formal platform for resistance. To suggest Tinubu was absent until then is dishonest,” the statement said.

Labeling Lamido part of the “Coalition of the Disgruntled,” the Presidency accused him of envy and suffering from “tall poppy syndrome”—a psychological tendency to disparage those who stand out.

“We urge Lamido to check his facts before going on air to spread misinformation,” the statement concluded. “President Tinubu has a proud record of standing for democracy—unlike those who cowered in the face of military oppression.”