Quote from Alex bobby on June 22, 2025, 7:13 AM

Tinubu Supported Annulment of June 12 Election, Not Democracy Icon – Sule Lamido Alleges

In a fiery television interview that’s stirred political waters, Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made stunning allegations against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—accusing him of supporting the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, rather than defending democracy as he often claims.

Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday, Lamido challenged the popular narrative that paints Tinubu as a major pro-democracy icon during Nigeria’s most turbulent political era. Instead, he claimed, Tinubu and his family were actively aligned with the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), the very man responsible for annulling what is widely considered Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.

The June 12 Election: A Brief History

On June 12, 1993, Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in an election overseen by the Babangida military regime. The poll was widely lauded for its transparency and credibility.

But despite its fairness and the nationwide acceptance of its results, IBB annulled the election, triggering a political crisis that would reverberate for decades. Abiola, who declared himself president-elect, was later arrested by the Abacha regime in 1994 and died in custody in 1998.

This annulment and its aftermath became the crucible in which many Nigerian pro-democracy figures were formed—or claimed to be.

Lamido's Claims Against Tinubu

Lamido claimed that Tinubu’s connection to the June 12 struggle has been embellished or outright distorted. According to him, Tinubu was not opposed to the annulment, and neither was he a committed foot soldier of the June 12 movement.

“Tinubu was part of those who supported IBB’s annulment of the June 12 election,” Lamido said bluntly.

He went further, pointing to Tinubu’s mother, Hajia Abibatu Mogaji, a highly respected market leader in Lagos. Lamido alleged she organized market women to come to Abuja to support Babangida after the annulment—a sign, he said, of the family’s alignment with the military regime, not democratic resistance.

NADECO and Tinubu’s Role Reexamined

One of the cornerstones of Tinubu’s legacy is his role in the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the group widely credited with fighting the military for the return of democracy. But Lamido challenged that narrative, stating that NADECO’s formation was actually to challenge General Sani Abacha, not to reverse the annulment of the June 12 election.

“NADECO was a postulation formation to fight Abacha, not for June 12,” he said.

This raises questions about Tinubu’s political emergence. Lamido said Tinubu only became a prominent figure after Abacha came to power—suggesting that Tinubu’s role as a pro-democracy advocate was secondary to his opportunistic positioning during Nigeria’s chaotic power transitions in the 1990s.

Tinubu’s Actual Role: Myth or Fact?

Tinubu’s supporters have long hailed him as one of the heroes of Nigeria’s return to democracy. His exile during the Abacha years, his funding of opposition media, and his work with NADECO have all been cited as evidence of his dedication to democratic principles.

But critics, including Lamido, argue that Tinubu has inflated his contributions to gain political capital. While it's undisputed that Tinubu did go into exile during the Abacha era and was affiliated with NADECO, what is being debated is whether his activism began before or after the political cost of silence became too high to bear.

The Bigger Picture: Political Memory and Narrative Control

Lamido’s comments are not just about historical revisionism—they are a pointed critique of how political narratives are shaped and weaponised in Nigeria. In his view, Tinubu’s ascension to power is built partly on a crafted image of defiance and sacrifice, one that needs scrutiny.

His remarks have reignited public debate about who really fought for Nigeria’s democracy, and whether current leaders have the moral authority to lead based on their roles—or lack thereof—in the June 12 saga.

Why This Matters Today

With President Tinubu now at the helm of Nigeria’s democratic experiment, these revelations—or accusations—take on heightened relevance. June 12 has become a national holiday, celebrated annually as Democracy Day, largely due to the efforts of people like MKO Abiola and others who sacrificed their lives and liberty for Nigeria’s return to civil rule.

If Lamido’s claims hold weight, they cast a shadow over Tinubu’s symbolic association with June 12, raising questions about historical accuracy, political opportunism, and the authenticity of democratic commitments.

Conclusion: A Challenge to Political Myth-making

Sule Lamido’s challenge to President Tinubu’s pro-democracy credentials forces Nigeria to confront a difficult question: Who really deserves to wear the badge of democratic heroism? As politics becomes more performance than principle, history’s footnotes may matter more than ever.

While the full truth of Tinubu’s role in the June 12 saga may never be universally agreed upon, Lamido’s accusations remind Nigerians to look beyond the rhetoric and scrutinise the legacies their leaders claim. In a country where political memory is often contested, truth remains a powerful—if elusive—currency.

Meta Description:
Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido alleges President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election and was not the democratic hero he portrays himself to be. Here's what the former governor said and the history behind the claim.