Nigeria held presidential elections on June 12, 1993, the first since the country’s Second Republic was overthrown in a military coup in 1983. The elections were the result of a transition to civilian rule led by the military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Though not officially declared by the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the unofficial election results showed Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
As a result, the winner of the election was never declared because the elections were annulled by Babangida due to electoral irregularities. The annulment sparked protests and political unrest, including the resignation of IBB and the formation of a weak interim civilian government, and resulted in the continuation of military rule in the country, with Sani Abacha ascending to power as the military head of state later that year in a bloodless coup.
M.K.O. Abiola ran for president in 1993, but the election results were annulled by then-military president Ibrahim Babangida due to allegations of corruption and unfairness. Former President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously awarded Abiola the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), an honour reserved for only Nigerian heads of state, on June 6, 2018, and Nigeria’s democracy day was changed to June 12.
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians not to take democracy for granted, pointing out that Chief MKO Abiola, the victor of the June 12, 1993, presidential election that was later declared invalid, gave his life in defence of it. This comes as Nigerians commemorate the 30th anniversary of that election.
Tinubu noted in his broadcast to the nation on Monday that “the abortion, by military fiat, of the decisive victory of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) on June 12, 1993, the presidential election was, up to that time, the fairest and freest election in the country’s political evolution,” and that the action sparked a protracted struggle that resulted in the return to democracy in 1999.
Noting that the 2023 elections had passed and that those who won today might lose tomorrow, Tinubu stated that those who are unable to endure and accept the pains of electoral defeat do not deserve the joy of victory if they win.
He promised to be impartial and forewarned the judiciary against receiving unconstitutional orders to stifle democracy. Additionally, he exhorted those who won elections to share democracy’s benefits with the populace.
Some parts of the president’s speech read, “On this year’s Democracy Day, I implore us all to renew our commitment to strengthening the form of government of free people that has served as our guiding light for the past 24 years.” Those of us who have been elected to public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative branches of government, in particular, must recommit to providing selfless service to the people and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral promises.
“On my part and on behalf of my administration, I reaffirm our commitment to diligently carrying out every component of our electoral pact with the people – the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.”.
“We will always tell the truth.” Dedicated to equity. And committed to justice. We will govern with fairness, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to always uphold the dignity of all our people.”
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