Nigeria 1993 Election Crisis , Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has strongly refuted accusations that President Bola Tinubu supported the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. According to Alake, Tinubu was not just involved but played a central role in the fight to restore the mandate of Chief MKO Abiola.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Alake — who was then the editor of Sunday Concord, owned by MKO Abiola — emphasized that he was an “active participant observer” of the events surrounding the June 12 election and its aftermath.
His comments came as a direct response to former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, who recently alleged that Tinubu only gained relevance after the election was annulled. Alake described Lamido’s comments as “false,” “revisionist,” and an effort to obscure his own questionable role during the crisis.
Alake revealed that he personally wrote MKO Abiola’s first public presidential declaration in January 1993 and was fully involved in publicizing it across major media platforms. “I was at the heart of the June 12 struggle,” he stated.
He further explained that Tinubu was a major force during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries, helping to persuade Atiku Abubakar to withdraw in favor of Abiola. Alake said these crucial negotiations took place at Cante Bellow’s residence in Jos, presided over by the late General Shehu Yar’Adua.
Refuting the claim that Tinubu supported the annulment, Alake asserted that Tinubu was actively involved in organizing the mass protests that erupted in June and July 1993. “Those protests were planned with Tinubu as a key organizer. Where was Lamido then?” Alake questioned.
He also recalled several behind-the-scenes efforts involving Tinubu, including securing flight clearance for Abiola’s condolence visit to Katsina after the annulment and accompanying him to a significant negotiation meeting with General Sani Abacha in November 1993.
“That famous photo of MKO, Tinubu, and Abacha — Tinubu was there to negotiate with the military on Abiola’s behalf. I was there when it was planned,” Alake disclosed.
Labeling Lamido’s narrative as an act of “selective amnesia,” Alake concluded that Tinubu was committed to the June 12 cause from the very beginning, investing time, resources, and personal risk to fight against injustice.
The June 12, 1993, presidential election is widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s most credible election, won by MKO Abiola but controversially annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida’s military government. The annulment led to mass unrest and became a historic symbol of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
