TODAY marks the 32nd anniversary of the June 12, 1993, presidential election which was annulled by the military junta headed by the retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, despite being adjudged as the most peaceful poll in the annals of Nigeria’s post-independence history. Its annual remembrance emanates from the significance of that historic day, which was potentially beneficial to the unity of the country and improvement of the bonds of brotherhood amongst Nigerians. Alas, that momentous opportunity was frittered away by an interplay of indiscretion and primordial sentiments by the military leadership of the time.
The series of events that triggered the annulment of June 12 presidential election were as intriguing as the consequences spurned by the unfortunate development. What made it so was that a clear winner had emerged from the collation of election results from the then 30 states of the federation. Returns from the field indicated that Chief MoshoodAbiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was coasting to victory while his rival in the National Republican Convention(NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa, trailed behind him, after losing his home state, Kano.
With expectation so high across the country, the military struck in a typical coup style by annulling the election, then presumably won by Chief Abiola. Hell was let loose across the country, with the Southwest region virtually shut down by anti-annulment protesters. As days rolled into weeks, the fallout assumed the character of an emergent tragedy as hundreds of Nigerians, frightened by a further degeneration of the national crisis, died while returning to their respective states of origin. The Igbo were most affected as many of them relocated, albeit temporarily, to the South East region.
Without doubt, the tragedy of June 12 presidential election was a catastrophe that affected every Nigerian. As it were, the course of individual progress is either bolstered or attenuated by a positive turn or the occasional reversal of a country’s fortune. Indeed, no citizen was insulated from the aftermath of the event that triggered the abortion of a promising pregnancy rather than a successful birth as prognosticated by the ‘Expected Date of Delivery (EDD)’. The collective loss of a great opportunity to return Nigeria to democracy after a long drawn-out military interregnum is still fresh in our minds, though three decades have rolled on. That the restoration of democracy was deferred by six years generated collateral damages for the country and its citizens.
From the ashes of what seemed a lost chapter of Nigeria’s chequered political history, some worthy development had occurred, however. This is evident in the recognition of the pivotal role June 12 presidential election played in the birth of the Fourth Republic by the former President Mohammadu Buhari administration. It was gratifying that the status of Chief Abiola, his running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, and numerous pro-democracy activists that agitated for the revalidation of the annulled poll was validated by the aforementioned administration. Of course, the conferment of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the Grand Commander of the Order of Nigeria (GCON) remains a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by Chief Abiola whose blood helped to water the plant of democracy, which has long fructified for the benefit of the country and its people.
Granted June 12 blighted the initial promise of democratic renewal in 1993, but its tragic manifestation helped to facilitate the eventual return of democracy. Perhaps, Nigeria would have been governed much more longer if we did not witness June 12. It is so good to observe the triumphal power of the people over the infernal quest of a few persons to remain in power without legitimate authorisation by the electorate.
June 12 has indeed receded into history, but the lessons are there for us to imbibe continually as we seek to grow Nigeria’s democracy beyond the congenital impediments induced by long years of military rule and the Nigerian factor. One of the biggest lessons is to secure freedoms offered by democracy and forge ways to enrich the democracy as currently practiced in the country. It therefore behoves Nigerians to protect democracy and insist on the rule of law, the conduct of free, fair and credible elections and demand accountability from political office holders at all times.
