Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola deservedly earned his place in Nigeria’s history as the iconic symbol of democracy and embodiment of democratic struggle who etched June 12 in the nation’s consciousness.
Though it may have passed as just another day in the Nigerian political calendar, an unfortunate twist of events ensured that June 12 became a rallying point for liberation, freedom, and social justice.
It was a day in 1993 when Nigerians enthusiastically went to the polls, buzzing with the hope of birthing a new, progressive country. The assignment was simple: install a democratic leader and return the military boys to the barracks.
Before this time, Nigerians had endured eight years of economic stagnation under the military regime of General Muhammadu Buhari, who came to power after the 1983 coup that toppled former President Shehu Shagari‘s government.
Buhari was ousted in a palace coup in 1985, paving the way for the emergence of General Ibrahim Babangida. Apart from public discontentment against his government, influenced by gross abuse of human rights, corruption, and falling social order, the Nigerian masses had grown weary of living under military regimes, hence the unanimous demand for transition to democracy.
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The popular opinion was that the nation had derailed from the trajectory it assumed at Independence in 1960. The promise of a just and democratic society had fast eroded, leaving the citizens disillusioned and yearning for a messiah.
Significance of Abiola’s struggle
Then came MKO Abiola, a successful businessman and philanthropist, whose campaign promises reflected the hopes and yearnings of the masses. His popularity and infectious character endeared him to Nigerians in every corner of the country.
So, Babangida’s annulment of the election dealt an irreparable blow to the nation’s psyche. It was a hope-crushing decision that robbed many Nigerians of the chance of seeing their desired country.
But the citizens remained undeterred and kept the flame of the struggle alive, leading to Babangida’s exit and the subsequent coming of General Sani Abacha.
The struggle for June 12 continued under the Abacha regime. Despite the regime’s repressive disposition, Abiola never lacked the courage to sustain the fight for his mandate. That would later cost him freedom as he was arrested after the June 11, 1994, Epetedo declaration, where he proclaimed himself Nigeria’s democratically elected president.
While the philanthropist endured the solitary confinement of the military detention, Nigerians kept the flame of the struggle alive on the streets with protests and other forms of agitation.
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Meanwhile, a glimmer of hope emerged after Abacha mysteriously died on June 8, 1998, offering a window for the realisation of the June 12 mandate as well as the liberation of millions of Nigerian citizens.
However, the hope quickly vanished just a month later as Abiola himself died under similarly mysterious circumstances.
Call for June 12 as Democracy Day
Abiola’s death didn’t put paid to the struggle for the June 12 mandate; instead, his demise intensified the call for a return to democratic rule.
This agitation pressured Abacha’s successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, to begin the planned transition process quickly, leading to the 1999 presidential election.
After emerging as the winner, Olusegun Obasanjo was offered the opportunity to choose his swearing-in date in 1999. With many people hoping for June 12, Obasanjo opted for May 29, and the latter became Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
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However, South-West states, starting with Lagos, kept alive the significance of June 12 to Nigeria’s democracy by declaring public holidays to honour MKO Abiola and his struggle.
Buhari’s Declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day
However, the date gained national recognition on June 6, 2018, when then-President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as the new date to celebrate Democracy Day.
The declaration nullified May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day – a tradition observed for 18 years.
“For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29, as Democracy Day. That was the date when, for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government.
“The first time this happened was on 1 October 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by his administration, June 12, 1993, was far more symbolic of democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even the October 1,” Buhari announced.
Subsequently, on June 11, 2019, Buhari assented to a Bill amending May 29, previously set aside as a public holiday for democracy celebration, replacing it with June 12.
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What would Nigeria look like if June 12 had stood?
During his campaigns in 1993, Abiola reiterated messages portraying an optimistic future for Nigeria, with slogans such as “Farewell to poverty”, “At last! Our rays of Hope”, and “Burden of Schooling.”
However, critics insisted that these honours have not really compensated for Abiola’s great sacrifice and selflessness.
