The Presidency has strongly refuted allegations made by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, claiming that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a comprehensive statement issued on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described Lamido's assertions as "a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism."
Lamido had alleged during a live television appearance that Tinubu only rose to prominence after the formation of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and claimed that Tinubu's mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mobilized market women to support the annulment.
Setting the Historical Record Straight
The Presidency categorically denied these claims, stating that Alhaja Mogaji never mobilized market women to support the annulment. "Had she done so, she would have lost her position as market leader in Lagos," the statement noted.
The statement further pointed out that Lamido himself, as secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) whose candidate M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 election, was 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 the people's mandate without resistance. To their eternal shame, Lamido and Anenih teamed up with the defeated National Republican Convention to deny Abiola his mandate," the statement read.
Tinubu's Pro-Democracy Stance
In contrast, the Presidency highlighted Tinubu's firm stance against the annulment. It referenced his speech on the Senate floor on August 19, 1993, where he condemned the annulment as "another coup d'état" and urged Nigerians to reject injustice and lawlessness.
"We have a situation that suggests that the abortion of the June 12 election is another coup d'etat," Tinubu was quoted as saying. "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—the public funds of this country?"
The statement also detailed Tinubu's actions following the dissolution of democratic institutions by General Abacha on November 17, 1993. It noted that Tinubu, along with other senators, reconvened in Lagos in defiance of the military junta, leading to his arrest and detention at Alagbon.
NADECO and the Pro-Democracy Struggle
The Presidency emphasized Tinubu's significant role in NADECO, which was formed on May 15, 1994, to call for the military government to step down in favor of Abiola. Following Abiola's arrest on June 22, 1994, Tinubu, along with many pro-democracy activists, was forced into exile for nearly five years.
"While Tinubu was away, agents of the junta bombed his home in Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island," the statement revealed, adding that Tinubu provided material resources to sustain the pro-democracy struggle both in exile and at home.
The Presidency accused Lamido of attempting to "rewrite history for political reasons" and being part of a "Coalition of the Disgruntled." It advised him to "check his facts before going on television to spread falsehoods."
"We do not want to believe that Alhaji Lamido suffers from what psychologists call tall poppy syndrome. However, the conclusion is inevitable as it appears that Lamido is envious of Tinubu's democratic credentials," the statement concluded.
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 and intimidation.
Stay updated with the latest political developments by following BenriNews on our social media platforms:
