June 12 Bombshell: ‘I Dared IBB To Resign!’ – Sule Lamido Opens Up On Face-Off with Military Ruler

Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has revealed that he once boldly urged former military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) to step down during the tumultuous June 12 political crisis, which followed the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by MKO Abiola.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In his newly released autobiography, Being True to Myself, published on May 13, Lamido, who also served as the National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), recounted how Babangida was visibly stunned by his demand and insisted that no Nigerian had ever confronted him that way before.

Lamido challenged Babangida’s justification for cancelling the election. He recalled a meeting at the Presidential Villa, during which Babangida claimed Abiola couldn’t be allowed to take office because the government owed him money—a rationale Lamido dismissed as insincere moralizing.

In Chapter 7, titled “June 12 Consumes IBB”, Lamido narrates:
“I was in my suite at the Nicon Noga Hilton (now Transcorp Hilton) when my phone rang early in the morning. A voice on the other end, identifying himself as Col. Bamalli, said, ‘The C-in-C wants to see you now.’ I asked who that was, and he replied, ‘Mr. President.’
Suddenly, I heard Babangida’s voice on the line saying, ‘Kai Sule, ka zo yanzu!’ (Sule, come over right now!) I responded, ‘Yes sir!’”

During their conversation, Lamido told the Head of State that the SDP would not entertain any further dialogue or participate in fresh elections. “It’s June 12 or nothing,” he insisted.

He continued, “That was my first time meeting Babangida. He saw me as sincere and perhaps naïve. Then he asked, ‘Sule, what do I do?’ And I replied frankly, ‘Sir, you must resign and step down from office.’ At that moment, his expression changed completely. There was fire in his eyes, and he was silent for a few minutes.”

Babangida was reportedly shocked, telling Lamido, “No Nigerian has ever dared say that to me. I know Nigerians very well, and I didn’t expect it from you. You’re very lucky. I see you as godly and sincere. Even if what you say sounds mad, it’s original and truly reflects who you are.”