The son of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Jamiu Abiola, has faulted former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido’s claim about President Bola Tinubu’s role in the June 12, 1993 presidential election crisis.

Lamido had recently alleged that Tinubu, a known member of the pro-democracy movement during the period, acted more as a “soldier of fortune” than a genuine advocate for the people’s mandate.

However, in a rebuttal, Jamiu Abiola described Tinubu as a frontline figure in the June 12 struggle who risked his life and committed personal resources to the cause.

He said contrary to claims that Tinubu played a marginal role, the former Lagos State governor was not only vocal but actively involved in resisting the annulment of the presidential election, which was widely believed to have been won by his father, Chief MKO Abiola.

Abiola said, “Tinubu was vocal and visible from the very beginning. As a senator in 1993, he publicly condemned the annulment on the Senate floor, calling it another coup d’état.”

According to him, Tinubu took a bold stance on August 19, 1993, when he spoke out against the annulment on the floor of the Senate, describing it as “another coup d’état,” at a time when many other politicians opted for silence or self-preservation.

“You would recall that most politicians were silent then, including those shouting today. Many were part of the establishment and chose to compromise, which is not a new thing to them. President Tinubu took the opposite route,” he added.

Highlighting further contributions, Abiola said Tinubu organised protests against the annulment and provided critical logistical support that facilitated his father’s return to Nigeria after an extended stay abroad.

Abiola stated, “Unlike others, he did not feel that my wealthy father should bear the financial burden of the resistance on his own. Guess what happened afterwards? The home of Senator Tinubu was bombed by regime loyalists.

“So, this was not someone sitting on the fence or playing both sides. He was putting himself on the frontlines from day one. Thus, he paid such a huge price and needed to escape to continue the struggle from abroad—which is exactly what he did.”

He recalled that Tinubu later fled into exile, where he continued the struggle, and recounted meeting him during that period in Maryland, United States.

Abiola also narrated a memorable encounter at Tinubu’s Maryland residence with the late Afenifere leader, Pa Abraham Adesanya.

“I was a witness because back then, I lived in the United States. One day I was in his house in Maryland, and lo and behold, a man came out of a room. I did not know who he was. He introduced himself as Pa Adesanya, and when I told him who I was, he went on to tell me about how he had been wrongly arrested for my mother’s killing and how Senator Bola Tinubu had been sponsoring the political struggle and looking out for people like him. It was an encounter I would never forget.

“I learned so much about the struggle that day and was convinced more than ever that my mother’s death would not bring it to an end,” he said.

Abiola added, “My father died for the June 12 mandate. My mother was assassinated fighting for its restoration. I know who stood with us when it mattered.

“President Tinubu was one of those who did—loudly, repeatedly, and at great personal cost. He didn’t wait for history to be written before joining the cause, as is the case with many people who served in a government in which my parents were ignored but chose to keep quiet.

“And he continues to honour the June 12 struggle, not just in word, but in how he leads.”

He noted that Tinubu recently conferred the Commander of the Federal Republic honour on his late mother, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, in recognition of her sacrifice.

“That same day, he also honoured Pa Alfred Rewane, Anthony Enahoro, Chima Ubani, Beko Ransome-Kuti, and others who gave everything for Nigeria’s democracy. It meant a lot—not just to me, but to the nation.

“These are not the actions of someone disconnected from the democratic struggle. These are the actions of someone who remembers, who respects, and who leads with that history in his heart and mind,” he said.

On a personal note, Abiola recalled how Tinubu flew him to Maiduguri for his wedding in 1999.

“He arrived at the airport before me and even slept in his house in Alausa to arrive at the airport on time. These are actions done by the best of people, and this kind of person is the right person to lead Nigeria for the next six years,” he added. (The PUNCH)