Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has reiterated his position on the events surrounding the June 12 presidential election, asserting that young Nigerians deserve the truth about pivotal moments in the country’s political history.

Speaking to The Guardian amid continued criticism of his comments during a recent appearance on ARISE Television, Lamido stood by his claims, stating: “Everything I said about the circumstances around the June 12 imbroglio remains the truth.”

He argued that full disclosure about the events before and after the annulled 1993 presidential election is necessary for national healing. “If permanent disclosure is needed for June 12, Nigerians should be availed of every tiny detail of what transpired during and immediately after the annulment. I put out the truth quietly for national rebirth,” he said.

Lamido, who served as the National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the June 12 era, claimed that the South-West political elite, particularly the Afenifere group, initially opposed the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 election.

According to him, Afenifere leaders never supported Abiola up to June 11, due to grievances stemming from his use of The Concord newspaper to expose the Moroko land scandal involving Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“They hopped into the arena after June 12 to use the victory, instead of the victor, to ride on the emotions of the Yorubas and regain political relevance after their siddon-look posture,” he alleged.

Lamido also drew parallels between Afenifere’s stance on Abiola and their treatment of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, noting that the group had not forgiven Obasanjo for not using his office to help Awolowo secure the presidency in 1979.

He continued: “Afenifere believed that for any Yoruba to rise to the national level, it must be through them. I think that is also Tinubu’s crime—for making it to the presidency outside Afenifere.”

The former governor maintained that President Bola Tinubu, who was part of the pro-democracy movement during the annulment crisis, acted more as a “soldier of fortune” than a genuine advocate for the people’s mandate.

“It’s left for Nigerians to evaluate what is happening under President Tinubu’s watch to determine his democratic credentials,” Lamido said. “There is a difference between fighting for the common good, which the June 12 struggle was about, and manoeuvring for personal political gain, which some actors eventually did.”

He lamented that Nigeria is currently plagued by economic hardship, insecurity, and declining public morale, warning that politics has taken precedence over governance halfway into Tinubu’s term.

Lamido referenced recent disclosures by former military leaders acknowledging that Abiola won the June 12 election, and urged others to tell the full story. “When the former military President came out to reveal the behind-the-scenes activities that led to the annulment—and confirmed that Abiola indeed won—men of conscience should own up to the truth,” he said.

He concluded by rejecting claims that his comments are part of a North-West conspiracy against the current administration, stressing that his positions are rooted in principle, not regional politics.

“History is a sure guide to emerging leaders,” Lamido said. “The younger generation must know the truth.” (The Guardian)

•Sule Lamido has disapproved President Bola Tinubu's decision to take a two-week vacation to the UK, saying he is insensitive to Nigerians’ suffering