June 12: New Democracy Day in Nigeria - By Abubakar Haruna

June 12, the most significant day in the history of Nigerian democracy. If you talk about June 12 in Nigeria, you refer to 12th June, 1993 when the most united presidential election held in Nigeria where southerner beat a northerner with a highest turnout votes from northerners.

This election was conducted then to transition of the country from long serving  military government to civilian democratic government.

However, chief Alh. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola ran as the candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) against the northern candidate Alh. Bashir Tofa from Kano ran under National Republic Convention (NRC).

The election was widely regarded as free, fair and peaceful with a highest voter turnout in history.

The result of this election annulled by the then military Junta General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on 23th June, 1993 without concrete evidence. This led to the widespread protests and condemnations from international communities. 

This is the first action that led the pro-democracy movement in Nigeria demanding the recognition, declaration of June 12 election result and democratic restoration.

Since then June 12 recognition was unsuccessful even after the return of democracy in Nigeria  on May 29, 1999 when full transition from military and civilian took over with the inauguration of president Olusegun Obasanjo.

The pro-democratic movement continued with their efforts for the struggling of June 12 by supporting a bill to recognise June 12.

In 2019, president Muhammadu Buhari signed June 12 bill into law to cool down the temper of pro-democratic movement and June 12 declared public holiday in Nigeria.

In this bill however, MKO Abiola was declared presumed winner of the 1993 election.

This declaration was a step forward toward acknowledging the significance history of June 12 election in Nigeria.

Happy democracy day June 12 in advance.


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