Tinubu Was a Frontline June 12 Advocate, Not a Bystander – Alake Fires Back at Lamido

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has firmly rejected recent claims by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who alleged that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and was not an early participant in the pro-democracy movement.

Speaking on Arise TV on Sunday, Alake described Lamido’s claims as a form of historical distortion, insisting that Tinubu was actively involved in resisting the annulment from the beginning. He labelled Lamido’s version of events as “hagiography” and “revisionism.”

Recounting the chronology of events, Alake noted that national anxiety began on June 16, 1993, when the election results—widely believed to favour MKO Abiola—were abruptly suspended. He revealed that Tinubu took immediate action following the official annulment on June 23.

According to Alake, Tinubu arranged a crucial air clearance for Abiola to land in Katsina to mourn with the Yar’Adua family, at the same time former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida was en route there. Alake said Abiola called Tinubu right after returning to Lagos and tasked him with coordinating the resistance efforts.

Alake emphasized Tinubu’s prominent role in planning and financing mass protests in June and July of 1993, adding that these activities predated the Sani Abacha regime. “I can tell you authoritatively,” he said, “Tinubu was one of the organisers, funders, and planners of all the protests against the annulment.”

He further shared that when Abacha took over on November 17, 1993, Tinubu accompanied Abiola to a crucial meeting with the new military ruler, aimed at negotiating a peaceful transfer of power.

Alake stressed that he was a “living witness” to these events and dismissed any suggestion that Tinubu was absent or complicit during the pivotal moments in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.