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Breaking News: Presidency Defends Tinubu, Slams Sule Lamido Over False June 12 Claims
The Presidency has strongly rebuffed claims made by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, accusing him of attempting to distort historical facts regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s role in the June 12, 1993 struggle.
Lamido, in an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, alleged that President Tinubu was among those who supported the annulment of the June 12 presidential election. He further claimed that Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, mobilised market women to Abuja to show solidarity with the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, after the annulment.
The former governor also questioned Tinubu’s democratic credentials, stating that the President only gained prominence after General Sani Abacha seized power. He went as far as asserting that NADECO (National Democratic Coalition), widely known for its resistance against military rule, was not formed to defend June 12 but rather to support Abacha.
Reacting on Sunday through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency dismissed Lamido’s claims as false and misleading. Onanuga said Lamido was engaged in a desperate attempt to rewrite history and undermine the sacrifices made by Tinubu and others during the pro-democracy struggle.
“The claims made by Sule Lamido are completely false and should be disregarded by the public,” the statement read. “President Tinubu has a well-documented history as a frontline fighter for democracy and was a key figure in the NADECO movement which stood firmly against Abacha’s dictatorship.”
The Presidency insisted that contrary to Lamido’s assertions, Tinubu’s commitment to the June 12 cause was unwavering, and attempts to diminish his contributions will not hold ground in the face of established historical records.