Ose Anenih, son of the late Chief Tony Anenih, has rejected claims made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, regarding his father’s role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

The controversy began after former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, accused President Tinubu of backing the annulment of the historic election.

In an interview with Arise TV, Lamido stated that Tinubu’s late mother, Hajiya Mogaji, led Lagos market women to Abuja to show support for then military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Lamido said, “I feel highly entertained by Tinubu’s rhetoric, the way he’s dramatising his role in Nigeria’s democracy.”

He added, “Tinubu became relevant and noticeable after Abacha took over the government; before then, he was in the senate while he was the secretary of the party.”

“He was part of those who supported IBB’s annulment of the June 12 election. His own mother Hajia Mogaji was organising Lagos market women to come to Abuja to pledge support for Babangida.”

Bayo Onanuga responded by accusing Lamido and the late Tony Anenih of complicity in denying MKO Abiola his presidential mandate.

In a statement, Onanuga said Lamido’s comments were “a distortion of history and a regrettable attempt at revisionism.”

He claimed that both Lamido and Anenih, who were top figures in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), failed to resist the military government after the annulment.

He stated, “It is important to remind Nigerians that Alhaji Lamido, as secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the party whose candidate, MKO Abiola, won the June 12 election, was among those who failed to oppose the military’s injustice.”

“The SDP leadership, including Lamido and chairman Tony Anenih, wrote their names in the book of infamy by surrendering the people’s mandate without resistance.”

“To their eternal shame, Lamido and Anenih teamed up with the defeated National Republican Convention to deny Abiola his mandate.”

In a detailed rebuttal posted on his official X handle, Ose Anenih called Onanuga’s account “untrue.” He criticized the tone and substance of the statement, especially given its association with the presidency.

He wrote, “Your account of my father’s involvement in June 12 is, to put it politely, untrue. It is disappointing that you chose to use uncouth language to describe Chief Tony Anenih, and in an official communication from ‘the Presidency,’ no less.”

“I will rise above the emotional baiting that this conversation has clearly sparked and will speak only to the truth. I will also assume that your mischaracterisation of historical events stems from ignorance, not malice,” he added.

Ose Anenih went on to narrate his father’s account of events following the annulment, stating that Chief Tony Anenih had warned Abiola that his close ties with General Sani Abacha could compromise his political ambitions.

“Chief Abiola initially fled the country after the annulment of the June 12 presidential elections by Gen. Babangida. You mentioned that MKO eventually returned.”

“When he did, one of his first visits was to my father, then National Chairman of the SDP, in Benin City. True to form, my father confronted Abiola. He accused him, to his face, of abandoning the party and its supporters in the immediate aftermath of the annulment while they risked life and limb defending his mandate.”

He also acknowledged that his father credited Tinubu for initially speaking out against the delay in releasing the June 12 results.

“Now, I am not aware of any animosity that ever existed between my father and President Tinubu. In fact, my father acknowledged that Tinubu had initially spoken out against the delay in announcing the results of the June 12 election. It was the only time he mentioned Tinubu in his 260-page book.”

Ose further questioned Tinubu’s conduct following the military coup that installed Abacha, implying that Tinubu’s alignment with Abacha at that time was questionable.

“I have no personal knowledge of what role your principal played after that, though I find it curious that you consider his early visit to Abacha, immediately after a coup to remove the ING he (MKO) helped birth, a mark of honour.”

He concluded by stressing that many key figures from the period are still alive and capable of sharing their accounts.

He emphasized that his father had already documented his own in his memoir.

“Like Lamido said, many of the key players in that chapter of our history like IBB, Abdulsalami, Oyegun, Ikimi, Mark, Ayu, Dele Momodu, and others, including Kola, MKO’s son – are still alive. We are also fortunate that my father wrote his own version of events before he passed.”

“It is however unfortunate that I have had to defend my father’s name against a lie, and doubly unfortunate that that lie was issued in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I had hoped that this level of toxicity left with the former occupant of your office.”

“I am happy to send you a copy of my father’s memoir, My Life and Nigerian Politics, to help you avoid this sort of ahistorical misadventure in future.”

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who is a prominent figure in the opposition alliance, has expressed skepticism about the timeline for forming a new party.

“There’s insufficient time to register and stabilise a new party before the 2027 election campaigns,” Lawal told newsmen.

He confirmed that the coalition would instead align with an existing party to create a viable platform for 2027.

“We’ve concluded that we are joining an existing party. Critical members have already resigned to make room for new leadership. We’re currently finalising the list of leaders who will occupy key positions such as chairman, secretary, organising secretary, and treasurer.”

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Lawal said:
“We examined several parties. Some had legal issues, others had internal management problems, and a few had multiple court cases pending. Some were unwilling to relinquish their positions to accommodate us, while others simply invited us to join without addressing our concerns. Ultimately, we found one to be the most suitable.”

He also criticised a separate group led by Dr Usman Ardo, who is pursuing ADA’s registration and allegedly misrepresenting support from top politicians.

“Ardo has been using prominent names without authorisation. While we cannot stop him from pursuing the formation of a new party, we are moving forward.”

Lawal emphasized that while notable figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are involved in the coalition, they are not representing their current parties.

“We are joining as individuals, not as a bloc. Many former APC members are with us. Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are also involved, though they are not joining as representatives of their respective parties.”

He pointed to tensions within PDP as an opportunity to recruit disillusioned members, especially if a controversial figure like Nyesom Wike assumes control.

“If Nyesom Wike takes over PDP, 90% of its members, who oppose him, are likely to join us, as they cannot join APC. This will significantly strengthen our position.”

Lawal concluded by reaffirming the coalition’s focus on providing a strong, inclusive alternative for Nigerians.

“We believe this is the most practical and strategic path forward. Any claims to the contrary are either misinformed or deliberately misleading.”

The leaders of the proposed All Democratic Alliance (ADA), a political movement seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration, have launched a nationwide mobilisation campaign following their application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registration as a political party.

Despite optimism among the coalition’s leaders regarding INEC’s approval, internal disagreements have emerged over whether forming a new party is feasible ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Members of the coalition include prominent political figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Dr Umar Ardo, convener of the League of Northern Democrats.

Initially, the coalition had considered aligning with an existing political party, with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) competing to be the preferred choice.

However, concerns over internal disputes and ongoing litigation within those parties discouraged the move.

In a formal letter to INEC, Chief Akin A. Rickets, the Protem National Chairman of the proposed ADA, wrote:

“Application for registration as a political party. We respectfully write to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, requesting the registration of our association, the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, as a political party.”

Sources told DAILY GAZETTE that despite the party’s application still being under review, ADA leaders have begun grassroots mobilisation across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones to attract politicians and stakeholders.

However, the group’s organisational structure remains fluid as consultations continue.

A source involved in the consultations remarked:

“I think they know what they are doing and good counsel appears to be prevailing. Political engineering and manoeuvres, including campaigns, will be very interesting in the coming months. It will be very good for our democracy because when you have an opposition that is very effective, it is likely to engender an atmosphere that will inspire alternative narratives about how the country can move forward.”

Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly distanced itself from the coalition, insiders revealed that key figures within the PDP, APC, and Labour Party are acting as informal backers of the anti-Tinubu coalition. Still, PDP governors have rejected any form of merger or coalition leading up to the 2027 elections.

As the 2027 elections approach, insiders believe inevitable internal crises within both APC and PDP during primaries will push disaffected aspirants toward ADA.

One insider said:

“We are waiting to profit from the crisis of nomination that would engulf the APC and PDP in some states.”

Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who represents the Sokoto North Senatorial District, has firmly dismissed claims suggesting he is nursing a 2027 vice-presidential ambition.

The former governor of Sokoto State described such reports as completely unfounded, politically motivated, and aimed at creating confusion.

In a press statement issued on Sunday and signed by his media aide, Abdallah el-Kurebe, Wamakko distanced himself from comments recently made by Abdullahi Yerima, Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, which were reported by a newspaper (not The PUNCH).

“We wish to state unequivocally that Senator Wamakko has never at any time, publicly or privately, expressed interest in contesting for the position of vice president in the 2027 general elections, or in any political arrangement of that nature.
Any insinuation or claim to that effect is false, baseless, and highly irresponsible,” the statement read.

The senator, also known as the Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, described Yerima’s remarks as reckless and misleading, accusing the local government chairman of dragging his name into “needless and unfounded political speculation.”

“The former governor further described Yerima’s statement as a reckless and deliberate act aimed at misleading the public and dragging his name into ‘needless and unfounded political speculation.’”

The statement further demanded a public apology from Yerima to both the senator and his family.

“The statement called on the Kebbe council chairman to immediately retract the statement and issue a public apology to both the senator and his family.”

Wamakko reiterated his dedication to his current mandate and emphasized that his political focus remains unchanged.

“Let it be on record that Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko remains focused on serving the people of Sokoto State and the nation through responsible leadership and political maturity, and should not be drawn into opportunistic narratives concocted for selfish motives,” the statement read.

The senator’s office also criticised media platforms that circulated the report without confirming its authenticity, urging greater responsibility in political reporting.

This comes amid internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly surrounding Vice President Kashim Shettima’s standing ahead of the 2027 elections.

A recent meeting of North-East APC stakeholders ended in disarray after Tinubu was endorsed for 2027, with no mention of Shettima, sparking speculations about the North-West eyeing the VP slot.

The Presidency has since denied any rift between Tinubu and Shettima, affirming that the President would choose his running mate after the party’s formal nomination convention.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified that no association has formally applied for registration as a political party despite a growing list of over 100 groups expressing interest.

Speaking to The Nation, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, emphasized that the Commission has only received letters of intent, which are not equivalent to formal applications.

“The truth is that we have so many letters of intent presently and none of them is an application yet,” Olumekun stated, stressing that any aspiring political group must first satisfy laid-down criteria before applying.

The clarification comes amid reports that the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), reportedly backed by a coalition involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, had filed for registration.

INEC documents obtained by The Nation outline the multi-stage process required to register a new political party, as mandated by the Electoral Act 2022 and the Commission’s own guidelines.

Key Steps to Political Party Registration

Associations must first submit a letter of intent, including the proposed name, acronym, and symbol, at least 12 months before a general election.

According to the guidelines:

“They must first meet the criteria before submitting a letter of intent.”

INEC then has 90 days to assess the proposed identifiers and issue a provisional approval. The name, symbol, and acronym will be reserved for 30 days, during which the group must pay an administrative fee to continue the process.

Upon payment, the group receives an Access Code to upload a completed Form EC 15A(1) along with documents including:

Constitution and manifesto

Proof of headquarters in the FCT

Membership register with contact details

Sworn affidavit confirming document authenticity

A physical copy of the form and documents must also be delivered to INEC.

The Commission then begins a prima facie evaluation and communicates the outcome within 60 days. If successful, the association moves to the next phase.

“Where the prima facie evaluation is successful, the association’s application shall be processed in line with these regulations and guidelines.”

However, should the documents be incomplete, inaccurate, or duplicated by the same individuals across multiple submissions, INEC will invalidate the application.

If the association passes the evaluation, INEC proceeds to verify its claims, including confirming that the national executive body reflects federal character, meaning it must include representatives from at least 24 states and the FCT.

Other requirements include:

A compliant constitution and manifesto

A name and acronym that do not conflict with existing parties or convey religious, ethnic, or sectional bias

Verification of the identity and origin of national executive members through documents like driver’s licenses, passports, or PVCs

“The names and addresses of the national officers of the association shall be verified when supported with the following documents: (a) Proof of identity of each member… (b) Indigene certificate… (c) Physical attendance… (d) Evidence of payment of the prescribed administrative fee…”

Moreover, the association must submit minutes of meetings where major decisions such as the adoption of name, symbol, and officers were made, and provide both hard and soft copies of its membership register.

If approved, INEC will issue a certificate of registration signed by its Chairman.

“The new political party shall be issued a signed and sealed certificate of registration through its National Chairman or National Secretary on a date set by the Commission.”

However, INEC reserves the right to reject the application if any requirement is unmet or fraudulent.

“Any false declaration shall result in non-registration of an association as a political party or the withdrawal of its certificate of registration by the commission.”

Furthermore, officials who knowingly submit false information will face legal action.

“An association’s national executive committee or any of its principal officers, who gives false or misleading information, commits an offence and shall be prosecuted by the commission in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.”