UNILAG SAGE

JUNE 12 1993 ELECTION FULL STORY
The June 12 1993 election was one of the most credible election that as ever happened in our so called country named Nigeria. But a lot of things happened during this election which was why the election and the date of the event will always be remembered in Nigeria.

The election was a Free and Fair one,But it was latter annulled by the then Commander of Armed forces In Nigeria which was Major General Ibrahim Babangida.Babangida himself set up a committee Which he gave them the supervision to Conduct a Free and credible election,The committee was headed by Humphrey Nwosu,The name of the committee was National electoral commission (NEC).General Babangida was ready to surrender power to the Democratic government that was why he set up a commission for the election.Two political parties where only registered for the election Which where the SDP(Social Democratic party) and the NRC(National Republic convention)

Chief Abiola olawale kashimawo who hails from Ogun state Abeouka Precisely contested under the SDP while Bashir Tofa who hails from Kano state contested under the NRC.Humphrey Nwosu announced the date of the election to be June 12 in the year 1993,The election came and people came out to vote for the preferred candidate of their choice,The election result started coming in with 14 state been announced before General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election. The 14 state that was been announced by National electoral commission saw Chief Abiola won 10 state including the state of his opponent which was Kano state while, Bashir Tofa won the remaining 4 state. Alot of controversy surrounded the way Chief Abiola defeated Bashir Tofa in his hometown even in is Local government area,this led many Nigerians to believe Chief Abiola was the anointed one.Days after the election.General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election and said it wasn’t democratic enough.He said in quote“Even before the presidential elections, and indeed at the party conventions, we had full knowledge of the bad signals pertaining to the enormous breach of the rules and regulations of democracy elections. But because we were determined to keep faith with the deadline of 27th August 1993 for the return of civil rule, we overlooked the reported breaches.

Unfortunately, these breaches continued into the presidential election of June 12, 1993, on an even greater proportion”.General Ibrahim Babangida also said alot of money was been spent during the election campaigns,primary,and even the party conventions,but many Nigerians still didn’ agree with all what he said.Chief Abiola was a wealthy businessman in the western part of Nigeria same as Bashir Tofa he was also one of the wealthiest people in the north,They where both rich which means Babangida claims of saying Public money was stolen for the campaign where all but false.

Many Nigerians also believed General Ibrahim Babangida didn’t want the westerners(Yoruba’s) to take over power from the northerners(Hausa’s)that was why he annulled the election because he felt Chief Abiola was already going to be the winner and he wanted the power to still remain in the North.General Ibrahim Babangida himself in 2009,when he was been interviewed in a programme said the June 12 1993 was the most credible election ever done in Nigeria He said and I quoted“June 12 was accepted by Nigerians as the best of elections in Nigeria. It was free and fair. But unfortunately, we cancelled that election. I used the word unfortunately, for the first time”It was just so painful that a man who fought for his mandate couldn’t achieve it till he died,That is why June 12 as always been a day of Remeberance For An Icon,A legend,A man who fought for his legacy,A man who did everything possible so as to rule his country but wasn’t given the chance to achieve the aim,Thank God Our so called leaders have realized and woke up from their sleep that he deserve to be honoured President Buhari last week honoured him with GCFR, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR)Even though according to the constitution GCFR is for those who are still alive and still a citizen of the country)But I feel President Buhari deserves some accolades because I feel what the past leaders as failed to do he is finally doing it,But aslo 2019 is around the corner political strategies everywhere,So we can’t be so sure if he really did it to honour him or just for his political ambition.But I feel Buhari isn’t just knowing Chief Abiola should be honoured why did he leave it to a very crucial time go the election??.May Almighty God help us in Nigeria

Rest in peace Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola May ur soul rest in perfect Peace You will always be remembered
Happy Democracy day
God bless Nigeria
God bless our leaders

• Written by:Asuni Tomiwa Samuel