The legacy of June 12 remains a prominent part of Nigeria’s history, with the date recognized as Democracy Day in the country. It serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic principles and the need for continuous efforts to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the Nigerian people.

On the day of the 1993 election, June 12, Nigerians turned out in large numbers to cast their votes and participate in the democratic process. The election day was marked by enthusiasm and hope for a new era of democratic governance in the country as there was High Voter Turnout, Peaceful Conduct, Smooth Operations, Electronic Voting .

Moshood Abiola’s Candidacy: Moshood Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was the frontrunner in the election. He enjoyed widespread support and was seen as the favorite to win.

In 1993, Nigeria was under military rule led by General Ibrahim Babangida. The country had been experiencing years of corrupt and repressive governance, and there was a growing demand for democratic reforms. Against this backdrop, the presidential election was scheduled to take place on June 12, 1993.

The Political Transition Process was introduced General Ibrahim Babangida, who came to power through a military coup in 1985, announced a political transition program in 1989. This program aimed to return Nigeria to civilian rule through a series of electoral processes.

Proliferation of Political Parties was encouraged by The political transition process which allowed for the formation of multiple political parties. However, the SDP and the NRC emerged as the two main parties that dominated the political landscape. These parties attracted a diverse range of politicians, including prominent figures from different regions and ideological backgrounds.

Nigerians, eager for democratic change, actively engaged in the electoral process, attending political rallies, participating in campaigns, and exercising their right to vote. The elections were widely seen as an opportunity for a genuine democratic transition.

National Electoral Commission was established as a neutral body responsible for organizing and overseeing the electoral process. Its mandate was to ensure free and fair elections and to instill confidence in the electoral system. Professor Humphrey Nwosu was appointed as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) during that period.

In the Third Republic, there were only two political parties. The two political parties then were, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). The  candidates in that election were African business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, better known as MKO Abiola, who was the SDP flag bearer; his opponent was Alhaji Bashir Tofa who was the standard bearer of the NRC and a business tycoon from the northern part of the country.

At that time, it did not matter to Nigerians what religion or region the two candidates on the ballot paper were from as the SDP candidate with his running mate were both Muslims.

At the end of the election, MKO Abiola was said to have won over eight million votes winning in 19 states while his opponent, the NRC candidate Tofa received over six million votes and winning in 10 states.  Of the over  14 million total votes cast; Abiola won almost 60 per cent of the total votes cast making him the  winner of the election.

On June 23, 1993, just days after the election took place, General Babangida announced the annulment of the results. The decision was met with shock and disbelief as it contradicted the widespread perception that the election had been largely peaceful and credible.

General Babangida cited various reasons for annulling the election, including alleged widespread irregularities and the need for a transition program that would accommodate all regions and interest groups. However, the decision was widely seen as a means for the military regime to retain power and prevent the inauguration of Moshood Abiola, who was widely believed to have won the election.

The annulment sparked widespread public outcry and protests across the country. Nigerians, including civil society organizations, activists, and ordinary citizens, took to the streets to express their anger and frustration at the denial of their democratic choice. The protests were met with violent repression by security forces, leading to loss of lives and injuries.

The annulment of the election plunged Nigeria into a severe political crisis. The legitimacy of the military government was severely undermined, and the country experienced a prolonged period of political instability. The crisis fueled demands for the restoration of democracy and intensified the struggle for the actualization of the June 12 mandate.

NADECO (National Democratic Coalition) was a pro-democracy group formed in Nigeria during the struggle for the actualization of the June 12 mandate and the restoration of democracy.

It comprised various individuals and organizations who were united in their opposition to military rule and their commitment to democratic governance. Some key players associated with NADECO were

• Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola became a symbol of the fight for democracy and the recognition of the June 12 mandate. He played a pivotal role in leading NADECO and advocating for the restoration of his mandate until his arrest and subsequent death in 1998.
• Anthony Enahoro: Enahoro was a veteran Nigerian nationalist and politician who played a key role in Nigeria’s struggle for independence . His experience and influence were instrumental in shaping NADECO’s strategy and objectives.
• Abraham Adesanya: Adesanya was a prominent lawyer and human rights activist who became a leading figure within NADECO. He served as the chairman of the organization and played a crucial role in coordinating its activities.
• Ayo Opadokun: Opadokun was a student leader during the anti-government protests in the 1970s and later became an influential member of NADECO. He played a vital role in organizing protests, strikes, and other acts of civil disobedience to press for the recognition of the June 12 election results.
• Bola Tinubu: Tinubu, who later became a prominent Nigerian politician, was actively involved in NADECO’s activities. He was known for his strategic thinking and played a significant role in mobilizing support for the organization.
• Admiral Augustus Aikhomu: Aikhomu was a retired Nigerian Navy admiral and politician who served as the Vice President under General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime. However, he became a prominent critic of the regime and publicly supported the June 12 election results.
• Chief Frank Ovie Kokori: Kokori was a labor leader and activist who played a significant role in mobilizing workers and trade unions to support the pro-democracy movement. As the General Secretary of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).

There was an outcry in Nigeria over the annulment of the election and  for the injustice meted out to the winner of the polls. The pressure was too much to bear by the government under General Babangida, who was forced to “step aside” for Chief Ernest Shonekan, a man from Abiola’s native land in present day Ogun State.

Chief Shonekan then took charge as the leader of a National Interim Government. Chief Shonekan’s government was short-lived as his administration was toppled in a military coup d’état on November 17, 1993.  General Sani Abacha, one-time Chief of Army Staff and Secretary of Defence,  took over as the new head of state.

General Sani Abacha was a military ruler who served as the de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 until his death in 1998. His regime was marked by authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and a consolidation of power. The treatment of Abiola by the Abacha regime, including his arrest, prolonged detention, and the failure to recognize his electoral victory, drew significant domestic and international criticism.

• Arrest and Detention: Following the annulment of the June 12 election, Abiola declared himself the rightful president of Nigeria and embarked on a campaign to reclaim his mandate. In response, General Abacha’s government arrested Abiola on June 23, 1994, and detained him on charges of treason.
• Continued Detention: Abiola was held in detention throughout Abacha’s regime. Despite international calls for his release, Abacha’s government kept Abiola in custody, refusing to acknowledge his victory in the annulled election or engage in negotiations to resolve the political crisis.
• Negotiations and Failed Compromise: In 1997, the Abacha regime initiated negotiations with Abiola in an attempt to resolve the political impasse. A compromise was proposed, offering Abiola the opportunity to be released from detention on the condition that he renounce his mandate and go into exile. Abiola rejected the offer, insisting on the actualization of his election victory.
• Death in Custody: On July 7, 1998, while still in detention, Moshood Abiola died under controversial circumstances. The official cause of death stated that he died of natural causes, specifically heart failure. However, suspicions and allegations of foul play surrounded his death, leading to widespread speculation about the circumstances and possible involvement of the government.Public Outcry and Unrest After Abiola’s death sparked widespread public outrage and unrest across Nigeria. Many Nigerians believed that Abiola’s death was suspicious and attributed it to foul play by the Abacha regime. Protests, demonstrations, and riots erupted in various parts of the country, with people expressing their anger and frustration at the loss of a prominent democratic figure.

On June 6, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria declared June 12 as Democracy Day. Previously, May 29 had been celebrated as Democracy Day in Nigeria since 1999, marking the date when civilian rule was restored. However, by declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, President Buhari acknowledged the historical importance of the June 12 election and sought to honor the memory of Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the election.