*The Nigerian Presideny says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained ‘a steadfast advocate for democracy’, in contrast to the record of Alhaji Sule Lamido and others, who capitulated in the face of Military oppression, intimidation before and after the annulment of the June 12 Presidential Election in the country

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

The Nigerian Presidency has picked holes in the recent public comments by Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, falsely accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of supporting the Military administration’s annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election.

The Presidency described Lamido’s claims as “a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.”

The ex-Governor of Jigawa State, on a live television programme, alleged that President Tinubu only rose to prominence after the formation of NADECO, claiming that Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, even mobilised market women to back the annulment of the historic June 12 Presidential Election.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information聽and聽Strategy, in a statement Sunday, June 22, 2025, however, said “these allegations are patently false.”

The statement noted: “Let us set the record straight: Alhaja Mogaji never mobilised market women to support the unjust annulment.

“Had she done so, she would have lost her position as market leader in Lagos.

“While she once had a personal relationship with then-President Babangida, this was before the annulment crisis.”

Onanuga also stated: “It is important to remind Nigerians that Alhaji Lamido, as Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)鈥攖he party whose candidate, MKO Abiola, won the June 12 election鈥攚as among those who failed to oppose the military’s injustice.

“The SDP leadership, including Lamido and chairman Tony Anenih, wrote their names in the book of infamy by surrendering tzhe people’s mandate without resistance.”

The Presidency further asserted: “To their eternal shame, Lamido and Anenih teamed up with the defeated National Republican Convention to deny Abiola his mandate.

“In sharp contrast, Senator Bola Tinubu stood firm even before General Abacha dissolved the political parties and all democratic institutions, including the National Assembly, on November 17, 1993, following his coup.”

Tinubu鈥檚 bold comments to colleagues on June 12 in Senate

The statement also recalled that days after General Babangida addressed the Senate and announced his decision to step aside August 27, 1993, the setting up of an interim government to replace him, Senators debated the speech.

The Presidency said: “On the Senate floor on August 19, 1993, Tinubu unequivocally condemned the annulment, describing it as another coup d’茅tat, and urging Nigerians to reject injustice and lawlessness.

The Presidential aide said available records captured Tinubu’s contribution, showing that he supported upholding the June 12 election, not against it, as Lamido claimed.

Senator Tinubu, then representing Lagos West, in Lagos State, told his colleagues: “We have a situation that suggests that the abortion of the June 12 election is another coup d’etat.

“My question is, when are we going to stop tolerating injustices, coup d’etat and abuse by the people on whom we invested so much resources鈥攖he public funds of this country?

“Yes, it is true that we have a crisis, but for every action, there must be a reaction.”

As a Federal lawmaker in the Nigerian Senate, Tinubu averred: “This is a self-inflicted crisis because, without the abortion or annulment of the June 12 election, there would be no crisis like this.

“We have a government that made the law and abused its law.

“Therefore, the present military administration, by virtue of abrogation and violation of its own decree, has committed a crime.”

It is equally noted that the the election winner, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, was out of the country when the legislators debated Babangida’s offer to step aside for an interim government.

Abiola returned to Nigeria September 1993.

The Presidency asked: And who followed him to the Abacha military group, then openly planning a coup against the Ernest Shonekan-led ING? It was Tinubu.

The statement affirmed that photographs exist today, showing Tinubu behind Abiola and Abacha.

Onanuga stated that Abacha took over November 17, 1993, and dissolved all democratic institutions, including governors, the National Assembly, and the state legislature.

However, Tinubu and a group of Senators reconvened in Lagos, defying the junta.

It explained Tinubu, Ameh Ebute, Abu Ibrahim, and others were arrested and kept at Alagbon, in Lagos.

The Police later took them to court and fabricated a case against them.

While in Police detention, Tinubu continued to fund pro-June 12 protests in Lagos, including the blockade of the Third Mainland Bridge, the statement noted.

It further noted: “Weeks after Abacha supplanted the ING, it quickly became clear to Abiola and Tinubu that Abacha would not be a soldier of democracy as he reneged on allowing Abiola to reclaim his mandate.”

According to the Presidency, the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was born on May 15, 1994.

Comprising a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats, it urged the Abacha-led Military government to step down in favour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, election, MKO Abiola.

On the 1st Anniversary of his election, Abiola made a declaration at Epetedo, in Lagos, announcing himself as the duly elected president.

Ten days after, on June 22, he was arrested, following which many pro-democracy activists also escaped from Nigeria, including Bola Tinubu.

The Presidential aide explained Tinubu lived in exile for nearly five years while Lamido and his ilk made deals with Abacha. While Tinubu was away, agents of the junta bombed his home in Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island.

The statement noted: “Thankfully, Lamido admitted that Tinubu played a significant role in NADECO.

“Indeed, Tinubu did more. He also backed Professor Wole Soyinka’s NALICON, offering material resources to fuel the struggle.

“It is well-known that Tinubu played a leading role in the agitation against the June 12 annulment.”

Onanuga stated: “Many NADECO leaders and journalists in exile and at home openly admitted that Tinubu sustained them and provided them with funds for the struggle.

“With his narrative, Lamido appeared confused about the role of NADECO. It was an offshoot of the June 12 crisis.

“NADECO provided a platform to channel the struggle. Hitherto, all the resistance was left to civil rights groups, journalists, and a section of labour, such as NUPENG.”

The Presidency declared: “It is thus disappointing that Alhaji Lamido, despite acknowledging Tinubu’s NADECO role, would attempt to rewrite history for political reasons and being a member of the Coalition of the Disgruntled.

“We advise Lamido to check his facts before going on television to spread falsehoods.

“It does not help his image, and the coalition he belongs to engages in revisionism.”

The statement said: “Revisionism does not serve the cause of truth or our nation’s interests.

“We do not want to believe that Alhaji Lamido suffers from what psychologists call tall poppy syndrome.”

Onanuga added: “However, the conclusion is inevitable as it appears that Lamido is envious of Tinubu’s democratic credentials.

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

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