Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has again stirred political waters by insisting that President Bola Tinubu capitalised on the June 12, 1993 struggle for personal political gain rather than genuine democratic reform.
Lamido, who served as National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the era of the annulled June 12 election, defended his recent comments on ARISE Television that have drawn criticism, especially from the South-West.
“Everything I said about the June 12 imbroglio remains the truth,” he said in a new statement. “Young Nigerians deserve to know what really happened, not just the version shaped by emotion or politics.”
He accused the South-West political group, Afenifere, of initially opposing Chief M.K.O. Abiola—the presumed winner of the 1993 election due to past grievances, including his newspaper’s exposure of the Moroko land scandal linked to Chief Obafemi Awolowo. According to Lamido, Afenifere only supported the June 12 cause after the election was annulled, using it to regain political influence.
“They were silent before June 12, then jumped in to use the emotion of the moment to stay relevant,” Lamido said.
He drew a comparison between how Afenifere treated both Abiola and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming the group holds grudges against any Yoruba leader who rises without their blessing. “I believe that is Tinubu’s crime, he became president without them,” he added.
Lamido described President Tinubu as a “soldier of fortune,” who took advantage of the June 12 movement rather than fighting for the people’s mandate.
“It’s left for Nigerians to judge Tinubu’s actions in office today. Is he living up to the ideals of that struggle or using it for political survival?” he asked.
The former governor also warned that halfway into Tinubu’s term, governance is suffering as economic hardship, insecurity, and low morale spread across the country.
Lamido called on those involved in the June 12 crisis, especially former military rulers, to tell the full truth, referencing recent admissions that Abiola won the election. “If the military can now speak the truth, why are civilians still silent or rewriting history?” he queried.
Dismissing claims that his remarks are part of a North-West agenda, Lamido insisted his views are based on principle, not politics. “The younger generation must know the truth. History is a guide for tomorrow’s leaders,” he said.