Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was won by late MKO Abiola.
The annulment was carried out by the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Lamido made the claims during an interview on Arise TV on Saturday night, stating that Tinubu was among those who backed the cancellation of what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest election.
He further claimed that Tinubu’s late mother, Hajia Mogaji Tinubu, played a significant role by mobilizing market women from Lagos to Abuja to express support for Babangida’s regime.
The former governor also expressed his openness to joining any political coalition aimed at removing President Tinubu from office in 2027.
He described the president’s rhetoric and portrayal of his role in Nigeria’s democracy as theatrical, which prompted Lamido to speak candidly about Tinubu’s alleged involvement in the annulment.
Lamido detailed Tinubu’s political background, noting that he served as Secretary of the Social Democratic Party while also being a senator.
According to Lamido, Tinubu only gained wider prominence in Nigerian politics after the late General Sani Abacha took over power.
“I feel highly entertained by Tinubu’s rhetoric, the way he’s dramatising his role in Nigeria’s democracy,” Lamido said.
“Tinubu became relevant and noticeable after Abacha took over the government; before then, he was in the Senate while he was the secretary of the party. He was part of those people who were supporting Babangida’s annulment of June 12. His own mother, Hajiya Mogaji from Lagos, was organising Lagos working women to come to Abuja to pledge support for Babangida.”
Lamido emphasized that he was merely stating historical facts without intent to embarrass the president, adding, “But you see, he was actively handing gloves to Babangida.”
