INTRODUCTION: The Dual Legacy Of A Historic Day.
June 12 represents Nigeria’s most profound democratic paradox: a day commemorating the freest election in the nation’s history, won by Moshood Abiola, yet annulled by military autocracy.
As Nigeria marks the 32nd anniversary of this watershed moment, HallowMace Foundation Africa examines whether the day serves merely as symbolic remembrance day or a catalyst for meaningful democratic correction.
1. The Unlearned Lessons: Democracy’s Unfulfilled Promises
Despite its symbolic status, June 12 exposes critical lessons Nigeria has yet to internalize:
– The Power Of Unity In Diversity:
The 1993 election shattered ethnic and religious barriers, with Abiola a Yoruba Muslim securing decisive victories in 19 northern states, including Kano (Tofa’s home state). Yet today, ethnic mobilization and divisive tactics like the 2023 Muslim-Muslim ticket have deepened societal fractures .
– Electoral Integrity As National Priority:
The 1993 poll achieved 99% peaceful conduct across 589 LGAs through innovations like the Option A4 system (open queuing behind candidates’ photos).
By contrast, the 2023 elections were marred by voter suppression, technical failures, and violence, including the assassination of Enugu East Labour Party senatorial candidate, Oyibo Chukwu.
– Civic Vigilance As Democracy’s Shield:
The post-annulment protests birthed NADECO, labor strikes, and underground radio campaigns, a testament to mass resistance. Today, civic apathy dominates, with only 27% of registered voters participating in 2022 off-cycle elections. Critic Dele Momodu warns Nigeria now slides into “civilian dictatorship”.
II. The Abiola Family: Symbolic Honors vs. Material Justice.
Nigeria’s treatment of Abiola’s legacy reveals contradictions:
– Symbolic Gestures:
In 2018, President Buhari posthumously awarded Abiola the GCFR (Nigeria’s highest honor) and renamed Democracy Day June 12.
– Unresolved Material Claims:
Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido has publicly urged President Tinubu to pay ₦45 billion owed to Abiola’s family for contracts executed by his ITT company in the 1970s . Military rulers allegedly annulled the election partly to avoid this debt, fearing Abiola would “bankrupt the country” if paid as president .
– Official Silence:
Despite Lamido’s appeals at his book launch (attended by Tinubu’s minister), no commitment has been made, leaving the family doubly punished: “denied the presidency and his money”.
III. Enduring Flames: Impunity, Ethnic Bias & Electoral Failures.
The pathologies that annulled June 12 persist:
– Impunity Unchecked:
General Babangida’s 2025 memoir deflects responsibility, claiming Abacha-led forces annulled the election “without his approval”. This mirrors present day evasion; no high-ranking official has been prosecuted for electoral violence since 1999.
– Ethnic Instrumentalization:
While Abiola’s victory transcended ethnicity, today’s elections exploit divisions.
– Replicated Injustices:
The 1993 court injunction against NEC, issued illegally by Justice Ikpeme, foreshadowed 2023’s weaponization of technicalities (e.g., PVC glitches disenfranchising thousands) .
IV. June 12’s Significance: Celebration Or A Wake-Up Call?
The day’s symbolism rings hollow without institutional reform:
– Democratic Recession:
Nigeria ranks 109th globally on the Democracy Index (2023), with declining scores in electoral integrity and civil liberties.
– Struggle Without Successors:
NADECO activists like Tinubu entered governance but abandoned restructuring ideals. As President, Tinubu’s economic reforms ignore federalism demands.
– Youth Disconnection:
Millennials/Gen Z associate June 12 with holiday rituals, not civic action. Only 22% can name key figures like Kudirat Abiola or Gani Fawehinmi .
Conclusion:
Beyond Commemoration, Toward Democratic Redemption:
June 12 cannot be merely ritualized remembrance while its core lessons, unity, accountability, and courage. remain unembodied.
HallowMace Foundation Africa, a good governance and democratic advocacy organization urges:
– Settle Historical Debts:
Pay the ₦45 billion to Abiola’s family and declassify all annulment documents .
– Restructure the Polity:
Return to true federalism as NADECO envisioned.
– Protect Elections:
Adopt binding penalties for electoral violence and enforce the Option A4 transparency principles.
As activist Dele Momodu declared on Democracy Day’s eve: *”We’ve damaged democracy… I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair”* .
June 12 must become Nigeria’s compass, not its epitaph.
This Is A Democracy Day Memorial Publication Of: The HallowMace Foundation Africa.
Sunny Anderson Osiebe
Executive Director
HallowMace Foundation Africa, Abuja, Nigeria.
