A former Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja has set the record straight by dismissing Sule Lamido’s allegation that President Bola Tinubu supported the June 12 annulment, describing it as misleading.
Akinlaja, a former Federal lawmaker who represented Ondo East and West Federal Constituency in the 7th and 8th Assembly and one of the frontliners who fought for the enthronement of democratic rule in Nigeria urged the former Governor of Jigawa State to refrain from misrepresenting the history of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, particularly events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
The Ondo-born entrepreneur and Chartered Arbitrator, in a chat with some newsmen on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 said:
“Senator Bola Tinubu now President of Nigeria was one of the people, who stood firm to the end for principle and patriotism as well as for actualisation of the June 12 mandate contrary to what Alhaji Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State said in his recent interview. The reality is that if the election had been allowed to stand, with the benefits of hindsight, Nigeria would have been better than what it is today.
“As one of the key participants of the June 12 struggle, I can vividly recall that Tinubu was in constant contact with NUPENG and PENGASSAN, during that historic political strike by NUPENG. Tinubu with late Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Femi Falana etc, were always in contact with us in our office, the NUPENG national secretariat, that time we were still at Number 2, Jeminatu Braimoh Close, Barracks Bus stop, Surulere by Western Avenue, Lagos. That was where we usually held strategic meetings and plannings were also hatched for the actualisation of June 12, particularly the stolen mandate of late Chief MKO Abiola.
“During those dark military days, I was the deputy General Secretary of NUPENG, late Chief Frank Ovie Kokori was my principal and the substantive General Secretary, whilst late Comrade Kodjo Agamene was the Union’s President.
“We were very resolute, dogged, resilient despite the show of force from the military artillery, in the midst of oppression, intimidation, harassment and victimization. We successfully coordinated a 9 weeks passive, non violent political strike to put pressure on the military government so that the rule of law and democratic institutions can be fully restored back in the country and to also ensure that the civic responsibilities exercised by the people in electing MKO Abiola as their President under a peaceful atmosphere was not in vain. We put everything on the line to fight for the Nigerian masses and constitutional democracy. It was a struggle that got global attention and as well triggered many interests within the context of political, trade union and diplomatic spaces.
“As the strike continued, it became clear to the military regime that it was not abating and was severely affecting the economy. While the military viewed it as a threat, other pro-democracy activists saw an ally in NUPENG and PENGASSAN and encouraged the continuation of the strike to maintain pressure on the government.
“This purpose-driven alliance became crucial, especially as sporadic civil protests were losing momentum, notable figures, including the current Nigerian President, Tinubu strongly collaborated with us to sustain the movement. Despite the danger associated with the struggle we stood firm in the pursuit of justice, fairness and the rule of law at the expense of our convenience.
“Therefore it would not be correct for Alhaji Sule Lamido and others who think like him to say Tinubu compromised or betrayed the June 12 struggle. A betrayer will never associate himself with organizations like NUPENG and PENGASSAN, composed of men of discipline and integrity during such a high profile struggle which gained prominence in our political history.
“Infact I am equally aware that Tinubu was still with MKO Abiola on the eve of Epetedo declaration, precisely Saturday, June 11, 1994, 31 years ago. Abiola stood before a determined crowd and declared himself the rightful President of Nigeria. His speech on that day is now known as the Epetedo Declaration.
“It would be disingenuous for anyone to distort facts with the intent to score political points, this is totally unacceptable. I must also add that while Tinubu was in self exile he was still in touch with pro-democracy activists, NUPENG and others in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12, I was a frontline participant so I can attest to this fact being an insider.”
