“On the march again!” That was the signature tune of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as he flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the historic 1993 election. Across the country, young and old echoed the chorus, “MKO na our man,” in a display of overwhelming support for the candidate who went on to win the election—a victory that ultimately became a stillbirth.
What could have marked a beautiful end to a long and complicated military-to-civil rule transition ended as a bitter episode in Nigeria’s political history. Beyond football, democracy—particularly the power to elect leaders—holds a special place in the hearts of Nigerians. After decades of military rule, interrupted briefly from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic, Nigerians yearned for civilian governance. Even General Ibrahim Babangida’s experiment with a hybrid civil-military rule between 1991 and 1992 failed to satisfy that yearning.
Against this backdrop, Nigerians came out en masse on June 12, 1993, to vote in what remains one of the country’s most credible elections. Yet, instead of honouring the will of the people, the military imposed a transitional arrangement led by Ernest Shonekan. The replacement of Abiola with Shonekan was widely rejected, as it was seen as an imposition that contradicted the spirit of democracy.
The annulment of the election sparked years of agitation. The call to revalidate Abiola’s mandate became a national demand. Promises of new elections and constitutional conferences failed to calm the discontent. The return to full-blown military rule in November 1993 only deepened the public’s resentment. That discontent ultimately cost the lives of Abiola and General Sani Abacha, the coup leader who replaced Shonekan.
In 1999, the country finally returned to democratic governance. Yet the wounds of June 12 lingered. Over time, efforts were made to recognise Abiola’s sacrifice. In 2018, then-President Muhammadu Buhari awarded Abiola the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and declared June 12 the new Democracy Day. This act of recognition, 25 years after the annulment, signalled a national reckoning with the past.
Thirty-two years later, June 12 has become a symbol of both pride and unresolved struggle. While it is now a public holiday, many Nigerians believe the ideals that June 12 stood for—free and fair elections, justice, and national unity—remain unfulfilled.
In the South-West, which played a pivotal role in the pro-democracy struggle, stakeholders continue to voice their discontent. Former senator and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) member, Femi Okurounmu, argued that the dreams of June 12 have not been realised. He pointed out that many self-styled progressives, who were once at the forefront of the struggle, now occupy key positions of power but have failed to ensure credible elections. He criticised the disillusionment surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and accused the judiciary of playing a dominant role in deciding electoral outcomes.
Okurounmu recalled how General Babangida privately admitted the annulment was a mistake, yet noted that no efforts have been made to redress the injustice. Instead, the elite now celebrate Babangida at public events, despite his role in derailing democracy. He also condemned the popular refrain of “go to court” often used by today’s politicians, arguing that many courts are now controlled by political allies.
Echoing these sentiments, Afenifere chieftain and former NADECO member, Abogun Kole Omololu, described the June 12 election as Nigeria’s most unifying political event. According to him, it transcended ethnic and religious divides, as evidenced by Abiola’s victory across the country, including his opponent’s home state of Kano. He lamented that, despite this legacy, democracy has been hijacked by anti-democratic forces. While praising Bola Tinubu for his early activism during the military era, Omololu stressed that history would judge leaders by their actions, not just their credentials.
From the South-South, civil society advocate Peter Mazi described June 12 as a protest through the ballot. He said it represented a nationwide demand for freedom, justice, and a new political order. According to Mazi, the annulment of the election betrayed the will of the people. He criticised the current administration, accusing it of suppressing press freedom and civic expression, while prioritising political survival over good governance. He said the legacy of June 12 lives on—not through government proclamations, but through the continued resistance of ordinary Nigerians.
Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, National Publicity Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), also reflected on the symbolic power of Abiola’s candidacy. He noted that Nigerians voted for him despite the religious similarity with his running mate, proving that competence outweighed sectarian concerns. However, he lamented that the promises of democracy remain unfulfilled, with insecurity, poverty, and poor public services still plaguing the country.
Political analyst Emmanuel Obe described June 12 as the climax of a well-organised transition process. Abiola’s win across diverse regions, including Tofa’s strongholds in the North, proved the election was a unifying moment. But he pointed out that vested interests within the military blocked the handover of power. He added that the election did not take place in Ogoniland, hinting at localised exclusions in what was otherwise a national process.
Professor Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji of the University of Kansas observed that some progress has been made since the annulment. He cited the formal recognition of June 12, public acknowledgments of Abiola’s victory, and electoral reforms. However, he decried the lack of official recognition for Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the electoral umpire who defied enormous pressure to conduct the 1993 election.
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) added that the June 12 saga changed Nigeria’s political history. Its leader, Uchenna Madu, praised Nwosu’s courage in overseeing the election and standing firm despite threats to his life. He condemned the military’s actions as a gross violation of the rule of law.
Enugu-based lawyer Nonso Ogbeh criticised President Tinubu, noting that as a beneficiary of the June 12 movement, he has failed to meet its expectations. Ogbeh argued that while Nigerians proved in 1993 that they could unite behind a candidate who represented hope, today’s leaders have fallen short. Yet, he believes the lessons of June 12 remain relevant. When Nigerians act collectively, he said, change is possible.
In the end, June 12 remains a stark reminder of the country’s democratic journey—of promises made and yet to be fulfilled. For many, it is not just a date to be remembered, but a call to action.
