Presidency Says Lamido Is  Envious Of Tinubu’s Democratic Credentials

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has described President Bola Tinubu as the financial pillar behind groups, individuals and organizations clamouring for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.

While replying to the claim made by Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, on live television, where he  accused President Bola Tinubu of supporting the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election, the Presidency described the claim as a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.

In a statement on Sunday, Special Adviser to the President on media & strategy, Bayo Onanuga stated that “It is important to remind Nigerians that Alhaji Lamido, as secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)—the party whose candidate, MKO Abiola won the June 12 election—was among those who failed to oppose the military’s injustice.

“The SDP leadership, including Lamido and chairman Tony Anenih, wrote their names in the book of infamy by surrendering the people’s mandate without resistance. To their eternal shame, Lamido and Anenih teamed up with the defeated National Republican Convention to deny Abiola his mandate.

“Thankfully, Lamido admitted that Tinubu played a significant role in NADECO. Indeed, Tinubu did more. He also backed Professor Wole Soyinka’s NALICON, offering material resources to fuel the struggle.

“It is well-known that Tinubu played a leading role in the agitation against the June 12 annulment. Many NADECO leaders and journalists in exile and at home openly admitted that Tinubu sustained them and provided them with funds for the struggle.

“With his narrative, Lamido appeared confused about the role of NADECO. It was an offshoot of the June 12 crisis. NADECO provided a platform to channel the struggle. Hitherto, all the resistance was left to civil rights groups, journalists, and a section of labour, such as NUPENG.

“It is thus disappointing that Alhaji Lamido, despite acknowledging Tinubu’s NADECO role would attempt to rewrite history for political reasons and being a member of the Coalition of the Disgruntled.

“We advise Lamido to check his facts before going on television to spread falsehoods. It does not help his image, and the coalition he belongs to engages in revisionism. Revisionism does not serve the cause of truth or our nation’s interests.

“We do not want to believe that Alhaji Lamido suffers from what psychologists call tall poppy syndrome. However, the conclusion is inevitable as it appears that Lamido is envious of Tinubu’s democratic credentials.

“The facts remain clear: President Tinubu was—and remains—a steadfast advocate for democracy, in contrast to the record of Lamido and others who capitulated in the  face of military oppression and intimidation.”