Abuja: The Presidency has forcefully countered the assertions made by Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa, regarding President Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the annulled June 12, 1993 election. In a statement labeled ‘Setting the Record Straight’, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga refuted Lamido’s comments, labeling them as false and a distortion of historical facts.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Lamido, in a television interview, alleged that Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12 presidential election. Additionally, Lamido claimed that Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, played a role in backing the annulment by mobilizing market women. Onanuga firmly denied these allegations, stating they are entirely inaccurate. He emphasized that Alhaja Mogaji never supported the annulment and would have lost her position as a market leader in Lagos if she had.
Onanuga further criticized Lamido for his role as the SDP National Secretary, accusing him of failing to protect MKO Abiola’s mandate
after his election victory. Onanuga alleged that the SDP leadership, including Lamido and Tony Anenih, capitulated and collaborated with the defeated NRC, thereby denying Abiola his rightful mandate. In contrast, he highlighted Tinubu’s opposition to the annulment and his steadfast stance against it as a senator.
Onanuga detailed Tinubu’s actions, recalling how he condemned the annulment on the Senate floor on August 19, 1993, referring to it as another coup d’état. Tinubu urged Nigerians to resist the injustice and lawlessness, asserting that the annulment was an unconstitutional seizure of power. Onanuga also noted Tinubu’s significant involvement in NADECO and international democratic efforts aimed at challenging military rule.
The Presidency spokesperson concluded by dismissing Lamido’s narrative as a politically motivated attempt by a ‘Coalition of the Disgruntled’. Onanuga reiterated that Tinubu has always been a staunch defender of democracy, contrasting this with Lamido’s alleged capitulation. (NAN)