The Presidency has responded strongly to comments made by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, accusing him of twisting facts about President Bola Tinubu’s role in the June 12 struggle. In a statement signed by presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, the government described Lamido’s remarks as false and an attempt to rewrite history for political reasons.
According to the statement, Lamido wrongly claimed that Tinubu only became relevant after NADECO was formed and that Tinubu’s mother supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. The Presidency dismissed those claims, saying, “Alhaja Mogaji never mobilised market women to support the unjust annulment,” and warned that such lies don’t help Lamido’s image. Instead, the statement pointed out that Lamido, as an SDP leader, did little to resist the annulment, adding that he and others “surrendered the people’s mandate without resistance.”
Tinubu’s early opposition to the annulment was highlighted, quoting him from a Senate debate in August 1993 where he called the annulment “another coup d’etat” and urged Nigerians not to tolerate injustice. It also recalled Tinubu’s later arrest, funding of protests, time in exile, and role in NADECO, saying, “Tinubu lived in exile for nearly five years while Lamido and his ilk made deals with Abacha.” Onanuga added that Tinubu supported the movement not just with presence but also with resources, helping journalists, activists, and groups like Soyinka’s NALICON.
The statement concluded by accusing Lamido of envy, calling him part of a “Coalition of the Disgruntled” and warning that playing politics with national history is “disappointing” and “does not serve the cause of truth.”
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