Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu was among those who supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Lamido made the claim during an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, where he challenged the prevailing narrative of Tinubu’s role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
According to him, Tinubu only gained political relevance after General Sani Abacha seized power and was not a leading figure in the fight to uphold the mandate of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled poll.
“Tinubu became relevant and noticeable after Abacha took over the government. Before then, he was in the Senate and was secretary of the party,” Lamido said.
He went further to accuse Tinubu’s mother, Hajia Abibatu Mogaji, of mobilizing support for the annulment.
“His own mother, Hajia Mogaji, was organizing Lagos market women to come to Abuja to pledge support for Babangida,” he alleged.
Lamido added that the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), often celebrated as a pro-June 12 platform, was not initially formed to defend Abiola’s mandate.
“NADECO was a postulation formation to fight Abacha, not for June 12,” he said.
The June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola but was annulled by then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, triggering a national political crisis.
Lamido’s comments are likely to stir controversy, especially as President Tinubu has consistently positioned himself as a frontline June 12 advocate and democracy icon.