In history, 12th June is a day to reckon with as many remarkable events took place around the world. On 12th June, 1941 for instance, the Inter Allied Declaration was signed in London. This was the first step towards the establishment what is today known as the United Nations.
That is not all; it was on 12th June, 1963 that the Civil Rights leader, Medgar Evers was fatally shot in front of his home in Jackson, MS.
Incidentally US President Reagan publicly challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin wall on June 12, 1987.
It is also on June 12, 1990 that the parliament of the Russian Federation formally declared its sovereignty.
Coming back home, it was on 12 June, 1993 that Nigeria had the most free and fair elections ever held in the history of her nationhood aborted by General Ibrahim Babangida popularly known as IBB, head of the then Military junta.
It would be recalled that MKO Abiola, the Egba-Abeokuta born publisher, politician and philanthropist ran for the position of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the auspices of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) with running mate, Maiduguri-born, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe.
The Muslim/Muslim ticket did not deter Nigerians from giving their mandate to those who deserved it. In that process, they beat their rival Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC) to clinch the Presidential elections.
That election was not to be because General Babangida, the Head of Government thought otherwise. The Niger-born General cancelled the election on the grounds of irregularities and so, denied the rightful owners of the people’s mandate their victory. By denying Moshood Abiola and his running mate that victory, the people’s mandate was stolen.
While the country was in turmoil about such brazenness, MKO Abiola went ahead to declare himself winner of the election. The long and short of the story is that, he was arrested and incarcerated by the Sani Abacha military junta. The philanthropist was said to have died in Abuja under suspicious circumstances, on the day he was due for release on July 7, 1998 at the age of 60.
The questions we need to ask ourselves as Nigerians include: Do we really hold this day dear to our hearts? Has justice been served key-actors of that annulment? Have we been fair to those whose mandate was denied? How about the millions of Nigerians who cued up in long lines for hours to cast their votes?
This writer thinks that we must make efforts at immortalizing this day in the annals of our national history. Renaming institutions or holding seminars and lectures on this day may be part of it but Nigerians need something that would stand the test of time – Recognition served on the altar of justice is key.
What should be done includes: Our legislators should sponsor two bills to; 1. Posthumously declare MKO Abiola winner of that election as well as a martyr of democracy; 2. Move Democracy Day from 29th May to 12th June. If the denial of victory and subsequent death of Abiola means anything to us, his memory should be engraved in our national history.
It will be recalled that some years back, Egbe omo Yoruba made a case for changing democracy day to 12th June. “…the Egba calls for Democracy day to be changed to June 12 and be renamed MKO Abiola Day…” the group said in a press release signed by its National President, Ola Oduwale.
Whether this wish would see the light of day is left to the appropriate authorities. For now, what we know is that, this day, is one that cannot be easily forgotten by friends, family, fans, key actors in the annulment and the generality of Nigerians who went under sun and rain to cast their votes.
Nigerians should not just see Democracy Day as a public holiday which commemorates the restoration of democracy in May 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo was returned to office as a democratically elected President. On the contrary, if the multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 and truncated our democratic process means anything to us, we must value the martyrs of democracy like Abiola who paid the supreme price for democracy.
Unless government and spirited individuals draw lessons from the June 12th annulment by ensuring justice, building bridges of peace, reducing poverty, providing social amenities and empowering our young people, the future portends danger.
The declaration of public holidays in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti and Osun States may continue in remembrance of the late aristocrat but making 12th June, Democracy Day would have a national appeal – it would be our own way of saying, “we remember the sacrifices you went through on our behalf.”
Human rights must everywhere be protected. While I am not eulogizing Abiola for sainthood, the point is, the man was denied mandate, incarcerated and died under unclear circumstances. As such, we ought to propagate the values he stood for. No doubt, Abiola was a courageous man - One hopes that the price he paid for democracy in Nigeria would yield bountiful harvests for the political stability of our country. May this martyr of democracy inspire our nation towards the paths of unity, peace, prosperity and progress. God bless Nigeria!
Fr. Justine Dyikuk is a blogger and a freelancer. He is also the Editor of Bauchi Caritas Catholic Newspaper and the Communication’s Director of Bauchi Diocese. He can be reached through justinejohndyikuk@gmail.com
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