Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa State, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu was among those who supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by then military ruler General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday, Lamido claimed that Tinubu’s mother, Hajia Mogaji, organized Lagos market women to travel to Abuja to show support for Babangida during the annulment crisis.
Lamido further asserted that Tinubu only became politically prominent after General Sani Abacha took over power, and that he was “actively hand-in-glove” with Babangida during the annulment period. He also disputed the popular narrative around the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), stating it was formed to oppose Abacha’s regime rather than to fight for the validation of the June 12 election.
The June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, was won by Bashorun MKO Abiola but was annulled by Babangida, triggering years of political unrest and pro-democracy agitation.
Lamido’s comments come amid ongoing debates about Tinubu’s political legacy and his role in Nigeria’s democratic history. The presidency has yet to respond to these allegations.
This revelation adds a new dimension to the discourse on Nigeria’s democratic struggles and the complex political alignments during the annulment of one of the country’s most significant elections.