The Ghost of June 12, 1993 having being immortalized with gratitude and reverence has come to stay with us as an incision on the palm that never goes away. It’s been baptised as our Democracy Day.
A constant reminder of there was a Moshood Olawale Kashimmawo Abiola, shortened MKO Abiola, “the best president Nigeria never had.” Apologies to Chief Christopher Chukwuemeka Odumegwu – Ojukwu, aka lkemba Nnewi, the General of the People’s Army ( 4th November, 1933 – 26th November, 2011). A man whose conviction nurtured a revolution of “ideas have wings; No force can stop their flight.”
Earlier today,the National Assembly held a special joint sitting in honour of Democracy Day with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our modern day Ceasar, who laws are of Persian and Medes – unalterable. I shall substantiate in the course of this discourse.
The special joint sitting was held at the House of Representatives Chamber, National Assembly Complex. The preliminary proceedings was held at 11.00AM ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at 12noon. This write up is titled after the theme.
The programme featured goodwill messages from some former presiding officers of the National Assembly and the conferment of National honours on some selected legislators for next to nothing as worthy records. It was seen as having represented a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey in service. We were made to believe It underscored the pivotal role of the National Assembly in safeguarding democratic values, thus fostering accountability and advancing national development over the past 26 Years of uninterrupted civil rule.
Could it be true or was it sheer rhapsodies of nothingness? I vote for the latter. Let’s remember, let’s honour MKO Abiola.
June 12, 1993, will always be remembered by those who defied the culture of silence and conspiracy against a significant moment in Nigerian history, when the masses through the instrumentality of the ballot box exited the military from power.
Recall MKO Abiola’s campaign manifesto: “Hope 93 – Farewell to Poverty: How to make Nigeria a better place for all. It was a Muslim- Muslim ticket of MKO Abiola and Baba Gana Kingibe under the platform of the Social Democratic Party ( SDP)
It was against Basshir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (;NCR). Abiola not only defeated Tofa in his home State Kano, he also defeated him “fairly and squarely with ” 58.4% of the popular vote and a majority in 20 out of the 30.States and the FCT.” That election was adjudged to be free, fair, credible and peaceful but the then IBB regime down played the outcome and eleven days later, June 23, 1993, annulled it.
It was a coup against the people’s wish and shall be remembered as the birth day of revolution that caused the military to return to the barracks. That led to Abiola, becoming “the undeclared winner”. The Chief electoral umpire , Prof. Humphrey Nwosu now of blessed memory, did complain of his hand being tied. In his recent book ridden with controversies and mixed – feelings by people from all walks of life – “My Journey in Service,” IBB, tried to live down that error of judgment. From “stepping aside, he stepped away.”
That was how lnterim National Government led by Chief Ernest Shonekan took over for 83 days only. In November 1993, late General Sani Abacha who was the Minister of Defence in the lnterim National Government ( ING) took over power. The military regained power. Action and reaction, became equal and opposite. Sir lsaac Newton the father of modern day Calculus and the author of laws of motion became vindicated in his third law – “Action and reaction are equal and opposite.” June 12 brought out the worst and the beat in the people: the worst in the military and the injustice of its annulment released the people’s energy and the capacity to protest.
Sani Abacha got satanic. The Progressive spoke in unity against the military in politics. Abacha in return unleashed terror on the country: media houses were attacked, journalists were jailed, bombed, beaten, civil society activists were hauled into detention. But the repression was met with stiff resistance.
On June 11, 1994, in his Epetedo declaration, Chief MKO Abiola declared a Government of National Unity and asked for his mandate. He was arrested for treasonable felony and detained. The arrest added fuel to the protest. MKO Abiola died in custody on July 7, 1998, a month to the day, after General Sani Abacha himself died. That was how the cookie crumbled. That was how democratic rule returned on May 29, 1999, and the specific figure from the South West to assuage the expressed fears of the South West that the denial of MKO Abiola’s mandate was an assault on the right of the South West. June 12, gave impetus to May 29.
Truth, be told.June 12 is ultimately not about one MKO Abiola who became a symbol; it is about the collective struggle against military tyranny, a reminder of people power and the value of civil society; it is that historical moment when Nigerians voted for change and stood by it. Was MKO Abiola’ usual brashness of regarding money as a measure of all things changed by entering the orbit of presidency? Did he learn to stoop as to conquer? Did he become a good listener and a patient conciliator?
He became less impulsive and more deliberate. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should borrow a leaf from MKO Abiola’s latter life style. In Tinubu’s era, we are living in an assumed democracy in which poverty has become the most common feature of social being and economic existence.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is now a thin god that must be worshipped or you will be cast into the labyrinth of forgotten political men and women. The rift between Mr.President and the Governor of Lagos State became open and public knowledge during the President’s latest visit to Lagos for the Eid- el- Kabir break. When he arrived from Abuja at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, as courtesy and convention demand, Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu had gone to airport to receive him. The President openly snubbed him. He by- passed the Governor and shook hands with the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and others. What a let down.
The Governor maintained calmness of mind. Again, during the inauguration of the phase one, 30kilometres stretch of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway, a major public event, the President again openly snubbed the Governor. He refused to shake his hands. Rather than invite him to speak, he being the host Governor, the President ignored him and asked Governor Dapo Abiodun, Governor of neighbouring Ogun state to speak. Everyone was so shocked to the very foundation. What a heck Mr.President. You fell short of decorum. You embarrassed yourself too, unconsciously. Come off it. Some dignity to the panoply of presidency. How come your age mates and your elders had to prostrate to beg you to forgive the Governor? The height of immodesty. What is now has ever been. The forest is getting smaller for the lion. Change the system. Your signature policies have translated to the worst of times for Nigerians. The early outline of the permutations for 2027 are sickening to say the least. Growing industry of praise singers and hangers – on, are too slippery. Allow democracy to flourish in Nigeria, Mr.President.
Written by Iyke Ibe,Owerri
