I feel so sad anytime i remember that Nigeria as a nation has once had a freest, fairest and credible election. There is nothing as disheartening as having a credible election and the credible election was shortlived by a unilateral decision.
As another June 12 is commemorated today, issues verging on the nation’s renascent democracy have ressurected again.
The electoral victory of June 12, 1993 General Election did not see the light of the day as the then Military Head of State , General Ibrahim Babangida who superitended over the exercise, cancelled and annulled the poll despite the wide acceptability of the result by both local and international observers.
June 12 election was the manure that accounted for the country’s democratic progress. Our democratic leaders, from Obasanjo to Yaradua, to Jonathan and to the incumbent resident are indirect beneficiaries of the supreme price paid by Moshood Abiola.
The democracy the nation savours today cannot be divorced from the event of 1993, particularly the supreme sacrifice made by Moshood Abiola.
The ultimate sacrifice made by chief M.k.O Abiola nourished the seed that freed Nigeria from the yoke of the military and died for democracy to survive but wat he did not bargain for is the criminality and other social vices currently pervading our system.
Chief M. K. O Abiola is the symbol of the freest, fairest and transparent election in the annals of our history, an election where no blood was shed, where a Muslim-Muslim ticket won, an election that was devoid of tribalism, religious chauvinism, ethnicism, regionalism and favouritism.
Subsequent elections in Nigeria could have maintained this laudable quality if the election was not subverted by anti-democratic forces.
Conclusively, June 12 remains a day of sober reflection in Nigeria because it was a day the sovereignty of majority of Nigerians were traduced.
June 12 remains an indelible stain in our polity.
I can’t end this piece without asking this pertinent question:
WHAT HAS NIGERIA LEARNT AS A NATION FROM THE DEBACLE OF JUNE 12 1993 GENERAL ELECTION?
I shall continue to ask this fundamental question until we get it right as a democratic nation.
Aderibigbe Yisahu Ajibola Busari is a Public Affairs analyst.