Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome, has described June 12 as more than a date on Nigeria’s political calendar, calling it a powerful emblem of democratic resilience, national identity, and collective struggle against authoritarian rule.
In a statement titled “The Enduring Significance of June 12,” Ozekhome traced the historical and political relevance of the day, asserting that it represents a defining moment that altered the trajectory of Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“On June 12, 1993, Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional lines defied the odds and trooped to the polls with uncommon unity.
“It was a rare moment in Nigeria’s history, an election unmarred by the usual violence or rigging—and one that produced a clear winner: Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
“Abiola, a wealthy Yoruba businessman and philanthropist, ran under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as his running mate.
“The pair formed a Muslim-Muslim ticket that transcended the country’s entrenched religious and ethnic divides.
“His opponent, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), even lost in his own ward in Kano, highlighting the unprecedented national appeal of Abiola’s candidacy.
“For many Nigerians, this was more than just a political victory, it was the long-awaited dawn of true democracy.
“However, the hope inspired by the June 12 election was swiftly dashed. Just 11 days later, the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results, citing ambiguous “irregularities” and concerns about the judiciary.
“The announcement stunned the nation. Protests erupted across the country, especially in the South-West, as civil society groups such as the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) mobilised against what many viewed as a calculated subversion of the people’s will,” Ozekhome said.
Ozekhome called the annulment “a direct affront to the democratic aspirations of Nigerians and a cynical betrayal of a transition programme that had raised so much hope.”
“The aftermath plunged Nigeria into political chaos. Refusing to surrender his mandate, Abiola declared himself president-elect on June 11, 1994, in a symbolic speech delivered in the Epetedo area of Lagos Island.
“He was arrested shortly thereafter, charged with treason, and held in solitary confinement until his sudden death on July 7, 1998, barely a month after the death of the military ruler, General Sani Abacha,” the SAN maintained.
Ozekhome described the period as a “dark chapter” in Nigeria’s political history, one that nevertheless gave rise to a resilient pro-democracy movement.
“Journalists, lawyers, students, and labour activists took to the streets, risking their lives for Nigeria’s democratic future,” he recalled.
One of the most tragic episodes of this resistance, he noted, was the 1996 assassination of Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, who had become a leading voice in the fight for justice and the actualisation of her husband’s mandate.
According to Ozekhome, the symbolism of June 12 extends far beyond the annulled election. “It is the embodiment of the Nigerian people's democratic will.
“It remains the benchmark for electoral transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s history,” he said.
Ozekhome noted that the unity displayed on June 12 showed that Nigerians could rise above divisive fault lines and vote based on vision and merit, rather than ethnicity or religion.
“At the same time, the episode exposed the fragility of democratic institutions under military dominance.
“The judiciary, dragged into the political crisis, was unable to stand firm. Conflicting rulings and prolonged silence only deepened public disillusionment,” Ozekhome said.
“For years, June 12 was unofficially marked in the South-West as the true Democracy Day. It wasn’t until June 6, 2018, that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari officially declared June 12 a national holiday, replacing May 29 as Democracy Day.
“That same year, Abiola was posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest honour, typically reserved for sitting presidents,” he added.
Ozekhome described the move as “a necessary step toward national healing and a recognition of the sacrifices made by Abiola and countless others who laid their lives on the line for democracy.”
He stressed that the legacy of June 12 continues to influence ongoing conversations around electoral reform, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.
“It forced Nigeria to reckon with the imbalance between military decrees and the sovereign will of the people,” he added.
For the SAN, the most enduring lesson of June 12 is that democracy, once attained, must be nurtured.
“It is not enough to mark the day; Nigerians must live its values. June 12 is far more than a date, it is a national narrative woven with threads of hope, betrayal, struggle, and eventual recognition,” Ozekhome stated.
Copyright Notice:
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please contact us at:
📧 thenew
sacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 0805 101 7159, 0814 404 8512
Post a Comment