Upholding the Mandate: Presidency Reaffirms Tinubu's Unwavering June 12 Stance

The recent Democracy Day celebrations have once again cast a spotlight on the enduring legacy of June 12, 1993, and the unwavering commitment of key figures to Nigeria's democratic journey.1 In a powerful statement, the Presidency has unequivocally reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's long-standing pro-June 12 credentials, refuting attempts to rewrite history and underscore his pivotal role in the struggle for democracy.2

This clarification comes in response to recent comments by former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who suggested that President Tinubu had supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.3 The Presidency, through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, vehemently dismissed these claims as "false, revisionist, and historically dishonest."4

Setting the Record Straight: A History of Steadfast Advocacy

The Presidency's statement meticulously details President Tinubu's consistent and active opposition to military rule and his unwavering support for the June 12 mandate.5 Far from being a latecomer to the pro-democracy movement, Tinubu, then a senator representing Lagos West, publicly condemned the annulment on the Senate floor as early as August 19, 1993. He described the annulment as "another coup d'état" and warned against the dangerous precedent of tolerating injustice and abuse of power.

Crucially, the statement also corrects the historical distortion regarding the role of President Tinubu's mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji. Claims that she mobilized market women to support the annulment were dismissed as patently false, with the Presidency asserting that such an action would have cost her leadership position among Lagos market women.

Contrasting Commitments: Tinubu's Resilience vs. Others' Capitulation

The Presidency draws a sharp contrast between President Tinubu's steadfastness and the actions of others, including Alhaji Lamido himself. It highlights that Lamido, as secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) – the party whose candidate, MKO Abiola, won the June 12 election – was among those who "surrendered the people's mandate without resistance." This direct comparison serves to underscore Tinubu's consistent defiance in the face of military oppression.

The statement further recounts Tinubu's deep alignment with MKO Abiola after his return from overseas and his courageous defiance of the Abacha regime. This included funding pro-June 12 protests in Lagos and going into exile for nearly five years, where he continued to finance resistance activities even as his home was bombed by junta agents.6

NADECO and Beyond: Sustaining the Struggle

The Presidency emphasized Tinubu's significant contributions to the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and his support for NALICON, an international campaign led by Nobel Laureate Prof.7 Wole Soyinka. It stressed that Tinubu played a "leading role" in the agitation against the June 12 annulment, with many NADECO leaders and journalists openly admitting that he "sustained them and provided them with funds for the struggle."8

The statement also addresses Lamido's apparent confusion regarding the origins and role of NADECO, clarifying that it was a direct "offshoot of the June 12 crisis" and served as a vital platform to channel the pro-democracy struggle.9

Beyond Revisionism: A Call for Factual Accuracy

The Presidency concluded by dismissing Lamido's remarks as part of a "broader political agenda" by what it termed the "Coalition of the Disgruntled."10 It urged Lamido to fact-check his claims and avoid misleading the public, asserting that "revisionism does not serve the cause of truth or our nation's interests."11

This reaffirmation from the Presidency serves as a crucial reminder of President Tinubu's deep roots in Nigeria's democratic struggle and his unwavering commitment to the ideals that June 12 represents. It reinforces the narrative of a leader who actively participated in the fight for the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today, offering a clear historical perspective amidst attempts to distort the past for political gain.12