Finally, June 12 is Democracy Day!
It's exactly 26 years today that the then, Head of States gave the Nigerian nation, perhaps, the greatest shock of their national life! The fairest and the best of elections in Nigeria has been annulled!!!
The first time I heard the announcement that June 12 shall be declared the Independence day, I was very much at peace that finally, the right thing is going to be done. Honestly, the May 29 we had adopted all these years, to me, has been a kind of conspiracy against the Truth. Thank God, we are past that now.But, this post won't be complete without a brief historical background of the June 12 date.
The June 12 Elections
It was at the peak of the demand for Democracy that the then, Head of States, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) had no choice but to organize and run an election exercise which was between the defunct National Republican Congress (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Alhaji Tofa was the candidate of the NRC while Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (a.k.a. MKO) was the candidate of the SDP. The Election exercise took place and MKO overwhelmingly won the Election. In fact, Alhaji Tofa lost in his hometown to MKO. It was a landslide victory in favor of the SDP candidate.
But to the shock of the Country, IBB annulled the elections and refused to handover power. To add salt to sore, he handed over to yet another Military Colleague, in the person of General Sanni Abacha.
To cut the long story short, the Frustrated President-elect declared himself the President after series of appeals to the Abacha who kicked out the Interim Government of Shonekan that IBB installed instead of MKO, the President-elect. Abacha stood his ground and arrested MKO for declaring himself president. He died in custody. This ofcourse gave rise to NADECO activism which continued to demand for Abacha to give way for Democracy.
Looking On the Bright Side...
Having said this, I want to believe that you now have a good idea of how important the June 12 is as far as democracy is concerned in Nigeria. You would, of course, now appreciate why everyone is excited that Democracy celebration has been shifted to June 12.
One cool thing I appreciate about this change of date is the fact that it is coming from a Fulani and not a Yoruba or Southerner. To me, I think it's a good omen. It means that Nigeria is progressing in terms of our 'Nigerianess'! This is a position that have been occupied by 2 Southerners before Buhari, one was actually the townsman of the late MKO and neither deemed it fit to declare June 12 Democracy day let alone naming a National monument in his memory. All these have happened through a Northerner not a Southerner, that, my friend is PLUS!
My prayer, is that we should continue to progress and tolerate one another. I pray that by this time next year, we should progress significantly in all areas of national development from the acceptance of one another and the country as our own. Ameen.
Happy Democracy Day!
Long live Naija!!
God Bless Nigeria!!!
It's exactly 26 years today that the then, Head of States gave the Nigerian nation, perhaps, the greatest shock of their national life! The fairest and the best of elections in Nigeria has been annulled!!!
The first time I heard the announcement that June 12 shall be declared the Independence day, I was very much at peace that finally, the right thing is going to be done. Honestly, the May 29 we had adopted all these years, to me, has been a kind of conspiracy against the Truth. Thank God, we are past that now.But, this post won't be complete without a brief historical background of the June 12 date.
 |
| IBB |
The June 12 Elections
It was at the peak of the demand for Democracy that the then, Head of States, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) had no choice but to organize and run an election exercise which was between the defunct National Republican Congress (NRC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Alhaji Tofa was the candidate of the NRC while Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (a.k.a. MKO) was the candidate of the SDP. The Election exercise took place and MKO overwhelmingly won the Election. In fact, Alhaji Tofa lost in his hometown to MKO. It was a landslide victory in favor of the SDP candidate.
 | |
| Alhaji Tofa |
But to the shock of the Country, IBB annulled the elections and refused to handover power. To add salt to sore, he handed over to yet another Military Colleague, in the person of General Sanni Abacha.
To cut the long story short, the Frustrated President-elect declared himself the President after series of appeals to the Abacha who kicked out the Interim Government of Shonekan that IBB installed instead of MKO, the President-elect. Abacha stood his ground and arrested MKO for declaring himself president. He died in custody. This ofcourse gave rise to NADECO activism which continued to demand for Abacha to give way for Democracy.
 |
| MKO |
Looking On the Bright Side...
Having said this, I want to believe that you now have a good idea of how important the June 12 is as far as democracy is concerned in Nigeria. You would, of course, now appreciate why everyone is excited that Democracy celebration has been shifted to June 12.
One cool thing I appreciate about this change of date is the fact that it is coming from a Fulani and not a Yoruba or Southerner. To me, I think it's a good omen. It means that Nigeria is progressing in terms of our 'Nigerianess'! This is a position that have been occupied by 2 Southerners before Buhari, one was actually the townsman of the late MKO and neither deemed it fit to declare June 12 Democracy day let alone naming a National monument in his memory. All these have happened through a Northerner not a Southerner, that, my friend is PLUS!
My prayer, is that we should continue to progress and tolerate one another. I pray that by this time next year, we should progress significantly in all areas of national development from the acceptance of one another and the country as our own. Ameen.
Happy Democracy Day!
Long live Naija!!
God Bless Nigeria!!!
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