“On the march again!” was the iconic campaign anthem of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the landmark June 12, 1993, election. Across towns and villages, Nigerians—young and old—rallied behind him with the chant, “MKO na our man,” signalling broad national support for his candidacy.
Abiola went on to win what was widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history. However, his victory was short-lived. The annulment of the results dashed the country’s hopes for a smooth transition from military to civilian rule, turning what could have been a historic moment into a prolonged national wound.
For Nigerians, democracy holds a cherished place—second only to football in national affection. Following decades of military rule, punctuated briefly by the Second Republic from 1979 to 1983, the people yearned for a true return to civil governance. Even the Babangida-led experiment with diarchy from 1991 to 1992 failed to quell this demand.
Thus, on June 12, 1993, Nigerians came out in droves to vote. But instead of honouring their collective voice, the military foisted a puppet government headed by Ernest Shonekan, denying Abiola his mandate. The rejection of the popular will in favour of an imposed leadership was widely seen as a betrayal of democracy.
The fallout was severe. June 12 became a rallying cry for justice and democratic revalidation. Despite promises of fresh elections and constitutional reforms, public anger continued to simmer. When General Sani Abacha overthrew the interim government later in 1993, the country plunged further into crisis—eventually claiming the lives of both Abiola and Abacha.
With the return to democracy in 1999, Nigeria entered a new chapter. However, the unresolved trauma of June 12 persisted. In 2018, then-President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously honoured Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and declared June 12 Nigeria’s new Democracy Day—a belated recognition of Abiola’s sacrifice.
Now, 32 years later, June 12 has become both a national holiday and a symbol of a continuing struggle. Across the country, prominent voices have weighed in on the lingering gaps between the ideals of June 12 and the present realities.
In the South-West, where the June 12 movement found its strongest base, former senator and NADECO chieftain Femi Okurounmu lamented that the dream of transparent governance remains unfulfilled. According to him, many of the self-proclaimed progressives who once championed the cause are now part of the problem.
“The core idea of June 12 was to ensure that Nigeria could hold transparent elections,” he said, adding that the electorate now views INEC and the judiciary—not their votes—as the real power brokers.
Okurounmu also criticised former military ruler Babangida, who later admitted the annulment was a mistake. “Yet, the same elite who destroyed democracy praise Babangida at public events,” he remarked.
Similarly, Afenifere’s National Organising Secretary, Abogun Kole Omololu, described the election as a unifying moment that transcended ethnic and religious divides. He decried the current political climate as a betrayal of the June 12 legacy.
“Nigeria’s democracy has largely been hijacked by anti-democratic forces. From 1999 to 2025, what we have is a façade,” Omololu asserted. However, he praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent advocacy for federalism and political reform, calling him a “true progressive.”
In the South-South, civil society activist Peter Mazi echoed similar sentiments. “June 12 was a protest through the ballot. It symbolised hope and unity,” he said. But today, he argued, the administration of President Tinubu, a product of that struggle, is actively suppressing democratic ideals.
“While millions battle hunger and insecurity, the government obsesses over 2027 elections. June 12 is not a celebration—it is a call to action,” Mazi stated.
Ijaw National Congress spokesman Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha added that Abiola’s cross-religious ticket demonstrated that Nigerians care more about leadership than identity. Yet, he lamented that poverty, insecurity, and joblessness remain widespread, 32 years later.
Emmanuel Obe, a political analyst, noted the broad appeal of the 1993 election, where Abiola even won in his opponent’s home state. “There was transparency in the process, but some in power couldn’t accept the outcome,” he said.
From abroad, Prof. Jehu Nnaji of the University of Kansas acknowledged progress, including the recognition of June 12 and electoral reforms. However, he criticised the lack of honours for Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the electoral umpire who oversaw the historic vote.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) called June 12 a political turning point. Leader Uchenna Madu praised Nwosu for risking his life to defend the people’s mandate, even though the military halted the process.
Meanwhile, Enugu-based lawyer Nonso Ogbeh said Tinubu has not lived up to expectations. “Democracy has retrogressed under him,” he argued, warning that politicians’ disregard for citizens could trigger another wave of collective resistance.
Ogbeh concluded that June 12 shows Nigerians can unite beyond divisions when the stakes are high. “The spirit of June 12 lives not in government declarations, but in the people’s continued demand for a better Nigeria,” he said.
