June 12: Rebirth of democracy in Nigeria and making it work

June 12: Rebirth of democracy in Nigeria and making it work

Fatai ADEWUYI

Today, June 12, which is now a public holiday in Nigeria, is remarkable as it marks the rebirth of democracy in our country. The story of how late MKO Abiola was denied his mandate after winning the Presidential Election of June 12, 1993, is familiar with us and need no recounting. However, the aftermath of the annulment of the election by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda (IBB), the then Head of State, left much to be desired, though light has been brought to Nigerian democracy. Late Abiola won the election, which was described as the freest and fairest election in the history of elections in Nigeria. But the denial and his attempt at re-claiming his mandate resulted in nationwide strikes and bloodshed that demondtrated his wide acceptance by the whole nation. Though, he paid the supreme price his death ensured the rebirth of democracy we now enjoy. He paid with his blood, but he is today immortalised through the declaration of June 12 as a national holiday, tagged Democracy Day. The evil that men do lives after them according to Shakespeare but not only that it equally hurt them! This calls for sober reflection.

Meanwhile, it is a good thing that the earlier narrative as per the reason for the annulment of the election has been dispelled and the real causes or reasons revealed by the major actor, IBB. He had come out boldly to recount the reasons for the annulment and accepted the blame. This acceptance is unacceptable as the damage done the nation is irreparable; we lost the best President Nigeria would have ever had! Despite, we still have to keep remembering the departed soul of late Abiola as exemplified in the national holiday and other areas where his name has been immortalised. Also, important is that we should allow democracy work in Nigeria so that we fully enjoy its benefits.