One of the most dangerous crimes anyone can commit against a people is to deliberately distort their history—especially a history written in blood, sacrifice, and resistance. Sadly, that’s exactly what Kola Abiola and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido have done with their recent comments on the June 12 struggle. Their revisionist spin isn’t just offensive—it’s a calculated insult to the memories of those who paid the ultimate price for Nigeria’s democracy.
Let’s be clear: while Kola Abiola bears the blood of Chief M.K.O Abiola, the undisputed winner of the annulled 1993 election, that biological connection does not grant him the moral authority to rewrite the history of a struggle he never actively joined. As for Sule Lamido, his role during that period was more of sabotage than solidarity. For both men to now parade themselves as credible voices on June 12 is a distortion too dangerous to ignore.
The June 12 movement was not about political ambition—it was a grassroots revolt against military tyranny, sparked by years of economic despair, repression, and the betrayal of democratic ideals. From SAP riots in the 1980s to student-led protests and the formation of civil society coalitions like Campaign for Democracy (CD), it was a fierce, wide-ranging resistance. The military’s annulment of the freest and fairest election in our history simply lit the match.
Throughout this resistance, certain names were constant: Beko Ransome-Kuti, Femi Falana, Chima Ubani, Omoyele Sowore, Shehu Sani, and others. Strategic meetings were held in Lagos homes, pamphlets were printed in secret, and people were jailed, tortured, or exiled. These were the real fighters—the ones who bled, protested, and stood firm while opportunists like Kola Abiola remained silent, or worse, compromised.
Kola’s claim that Bola Tinubu only joined the June 12 struggle after failing to secure a position under Abacha is not only false—it’s dishonest. The record is clear: Tinubu was part of the resistance early on, and like many others, was forced into exile. While you may not agree with his politics today, denying his role then is pure intellectual fraud.
And what about the legacies of June 12? What has Kola Abiola done to preserve the memory of his father’s political sacrifice? The Concord Group lies in ruins. No annual lecture. No memorial foundation. Nothing to honour the martyrs of the struggle—not even his own stepmother, the courageous Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated for standing up when many men stayed quiet. Instead, Kola spends his energy rewriting history and campaigning on the back of a name he has failed to protect.
As for Sule Lamido, his record speaks for itself. During the peak of the crisis, he aligned with the same military forces Nigerians were fighting. To now posture as a custodian of that era’s truth is both laughable and insulting.
Nigerians deserve better than this. We must protect our history from manipulation, especially when it’s done for political convenience. June 12 is more than a date—it’s a symbol of the people’s will and resistance. Those who stood on the sidelines—or against the people—should not be allowed to own the story.
In Yoruba, there’s a saying: “If animals are boasting about their horns, the snail should stay silent.” Kola and Lamido should take heed.
Let history remain sacred. And let the truth stand—even when it’s inconvenient.
