18 years after June 12; MKO Abiola

June 12, 1993, presidential elections was held throughout Nigeria, and the good people of the country came out in their millions to vote for MKO Abiola, who won 58% of the votes. However, on June 23, Babangida, using several pending lawsuits as a pretense, annulled the election, throwing Nigeria into turmoil.

June 12 by far is the freest and fairest election we’ve ever had in the history of Nigeria.

People voted willingly, putting aside all the prejudices that had hitherto divided them (ethnic, religion and culture) as a people; and the rest, as they say, is history.

18 years on from that historic day,the June 12 debacle, as far as I’m concerned set us backward for 40 years. If Abiola had ruled this country, I’m sure things would have turned a lot better. And the problem is worse of now because we all seem to have forgotten the people that died including Abiola, all his businesses have been destroyed.
In fact, the enemies of democracy used the instrumentality of the Federal Government to fight him. Thirteen years after, we are yet to get over this challenge. We have to find out what is happening to Abiola’s family.
Nigeria is at a standstill today because the blood of people that was killed is still crying for justice in their graves.
There is need for restitution because the Truth and Reconciliation Committee that Obasanjo set up, a lot of the dramatis personae like IBB and co didn’t show up. As such, it was a mere window-dressing.

Rest in peace MKO Abiola.