June 12: “Why I Told IBB to His Face to Resign,” Lamido Speaks

• Former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido, has narrated his bold confrontation with former head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), in his new autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched on May 13
• Lamido disclosed that he directly told Babangida to resign during the June 12 crisis following the annulment of the 1993 election results
• Babangida, initially surprised by Lamido's request, later admitted he wished he had met him earlier

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, shared that he directly asked former head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), to step down during the June 12 crisis after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola.

1993 election annulment: Lamido recalls heated meeting with IBB

In an excerpt from his autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched on May 13, Sule Lamido, who was the national secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), recalled Babangida’s response, saying no Nigerian would dare tell him to resign to his face.

In chapter 7, titled ‘June 12 Consumes IBB’, Lamido recalled that he was not convinced by Babangida’s justification for annulling the election.

He said during their meeting at the Presidential Villa, Babangida’s claim that Abiola couldn’t take office because the government owed him money came across as mere moralising.

Lamido to Babangida on June 12: “You must resign”

As reported by The Punch, Lamido stated:

“As the National Secretary of the SDP, I told him, No, the SDP is done with any discussion with the federal military government concerning the June 12 elections. We shall not participate in any new election, as far as we are concerned. It must be June 12 or nothing else.

“Then he asked me, Sule, what do I do? In my naïve and innocent way, I told him frankly, Sir, you must resign and leave office. Immediately, I said that his countenance changed. I saw fire in his eyes; for some minutes, he was speechless.”

Continuing, Lamido said Babangida admitted he wished he had met him earlier, acknowledging that his previous impressions of him were mistaken.

Meanwhile, Sule Lamido, urged President Bola Tinubu to resolve the N45 billion debt owed to the late Chief MKO Abiola, calling it a crucial step in closing the chapter on June 12.

Speaking at the launch of his book, Being True To Myself, in Abuja, Lamido emphasised Abiola’s dual injustice, being denied the presidency and the financial debt left unsettled.

He passionately appealed to the Minister of Information to relay the message to Tinubu, insisting that settling the debt would finally bring closure to a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Read more about Lamido here:

• Abacha’s family releases statement over Babangida’s claim about June 12 annulment
• 2027 election: Lamido sends message to El-Rufai, Kwankwaso, others as plot against Tinubu deepens
• Just in: Speculation as Peter Obi visits former governor of Jigawa

Babangida admits MKO Abiola won 1993 election

Legit.ng earlier reported that former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), had admitted late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

As reported by This Day, Babangida launched his autobiography, 'A Journey in Service', in Abuja on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Source: Legit.ng