Tinubu supported June 12 annulment, not part of pro-democracy struggle – Lamido
A former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and was not part of the early pro-democracy resistance that followed.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Saturday, Lamido said Tinubu, who was a senator under the Social Democratic Party during the election, was “a major supporter” of former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, who annulled the poll.
“Luckily, we were all alive. We were all there and participants in that affair of political history. I was in the middle of it.
“Tinubu became relevant and noticeable after Abacha took over the government.” Lamido said.
“With all respect to him, he was part of those people who supported Babangida’s annulment of June 12. He was part of them.
“His own mother, Haija Mogaji from Lagos, organised the Lagos market women to Abuja to support Babangida.
“I’m saying this because it is history. I mean no harm or disrespect.”
Lamido added that he found Tinubu’s public remarks about his role in the democratic struggle unconvincing.
“I feel highly entertained by Tinubu’s rhetoric. The way he is dramatising his own role in Nigerian democracy.
”He was actively hand-in-glove with Babangida.
“Tinubu, after being Nigerian president, decided to rewrite and deconstruct history. It is very amusing.
“He was part of Babangida’s supporters on June 12.
“It was when Abacha took over the government that Tinubu became the so-called activist of June 12.”
Lamido also criticised members of the National Democratic Coalition, which Tinubu later joined, saying they only emerged after General Sani Abacha seized power.
“All those NADECO (activists), where were they on June 11?
“They were not part of the June 12 campaign and activities.
“He was a major supporter of Babangida,” he said.
He further claimed that while he and others stayed back to resist the military, Tinubu left the country.
“Tinubu ran away from the country,” Lamido said.
He concluded by expressing political opposition to the President, saying he is prepared to align with others to remove Tinubu from office in the 2027 general elections.
