By Atoyebi Nike
Former Governor of Jigawa State and ex-National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sule Lamido, has disclosed that he asked General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) to resign during the June 12, 1993 political crisis.
The revelation is contained in Chapter 7 of his autobiography, Being True to Myself, launched on May 13. The chapter is titled “June 12 Consumes IBB.”
Lamido said the meeting happened at the Presidential Villa, following a call summoning him early in the morning to see the Head of State. He was contacted by Col. Bamalli and then directly ordered by Babangida himself to report immediately. “I heard his voice on the line saying, ‘Kai Sule, ka zo yanzu’ (Come over right now). I said, ‘Yes, Sir,’” Lamido recalled.
During the meeting, Babangida explained why he annulled the June 12 election, won by Chief MKO Abiola. He cited financial indebtedness to Abiola as one reason. Lamido said he found the explanation unconvincing and rejected it.
He stated that as SDP National Secretary, he informed Babangida that the party would no longer engage with the federal military government. “It must be June 12 or nothing,” he insisted.
When Babangida asked what should be done, Lamido told him plainly that he must resign. “His expression changed. He looked at me and said, ‘Sule, no Nigerian can dare say that to me. You are very lucky.’”
Babangida, according to Lamido, acknowledged the honesty behind his words and said he had misjudged him. He described Lamido as sincere and principled, even if perceived as naive.
On the Interim Government
Lamido also gave insight into the creation of the Interim National Government (ING) led by Chief Ernest Shonekan. He said negotiations between the military and leaders of the SDP and National Republican Convention (NRC) led to the ING, but neither party was involved in Shonekan’s selection.
He said Babangida sought someone from the Southwest with wide acceptance and links to the British Government. Shonekan, a former chairman of the United African Company (UAC), fit the profile.
“He was respected in the corporate world, non-controversial, and had national appeal,” Lamido wrote.
He added that the appointment of a Yoruba was meant to reduce ethnic tension and show that the annulment was not based on Abiola’s ethnic background.
Lamido concluded that the ING was driven more by optics and foreign pressure than by genuine democratic transition.
