Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has stirred controversy by declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was never a true hero of Nigeria’s June 12 democracy struggle. According to Lamido, Tinubu backed then-military ruler Ibrahim Babangida rather than supporting the mandate of late Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election.
Speaking in a recent interview, Lamido challenged the popular narrative that portrays Tinubu as a key figure in the fight for Nigeria’s democratic transition following the annulled June 12, 1993 elections.
“Tinubu was never part of the real struggle. In fact, during the heat of the annulment, he aligned with Babangida, not MKO. People need to stop rewriting history,” Lamido said.
He insisted that genuine democracy advocates like Pa Anthony Enahoro, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and others paid a greater price for the restoration of civilian rule. Lamido argued that Tinubu only became prominent after fleeing into exile and aligning with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), but was never on the frontlines before the annulment crisis intensified.
Lamido’s comments come amid renewed focus on June 12, which is now recognized as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day. Critics say the Tinubu administration is using the symbolism of June 12 for political legitimacy, despite questions about his actual contributions to the struggle.
“He is reaping from a tree he didn’t plant,” Lamido added. “The real June 12 heroes are forgotten while opportunists now wear the crown.”
President Tinubu has not responded to the allegations, but his supporters maintain that he played a pivotal role during Nigeria’s turbulent democratic transition in the 1990s.
