After over two decades of the struggle to recognise June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and honour Chief Moshood Abiola, last year, President Muhammadu Buhari took that step. He also conferred the highest honour reserved for only heads of state on him.
The presidential election of June 12, 1993 came 10 years after the overthrow of the civilian government on December 31, 1983 by the military led by Major General Muhammadu Buhari. So, Nigerians were weary of military rule and were eager to return to democratic rule. With Abiola leading in the state-by-state results being released by the NEC chairman, Babangida announced that the election had been annulled. That announcement destabilised the nation.
Eventually, Abubakar conducted fresh elections with General Olusegun Obasanjo declared the winner and sworn in as President on May 29, 1999. Obasanjo declared May 29 as Democracy Day and a holiday. Those who led the struggle for the restoration of the June 12 mandate demanded that June 12 be recognised as the true Democracy Day. But Obasanjo ignored that throughout his eight-year tenure. Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, who took over from Obasanjo as President, also did not recognise June 12 or Abiola.
By honouring Abiola and June 12, Buhari has reaped the goodwill. History will record it in his favour. Even though he was the chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund under Abacha who arrested and detained Abiola, all that is past. He is the President who gave full recognition to June 12 and Abiola. Thirdly, while campaigning for votes in 1993, Abiola used “hope” as his key promise. He promised Nigerians a new country where hunger and poverty would be eradicated. On the contrary, under Buhari, hope is low and poverty has risen to its highest level.
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