Must read! The true story behind the June 12 election annulment

Most people know that Nigeria had its first presidential elections on June 12, 1993, since the Second Republic was toppled in a military coup in 1983. However, they don’t know the true story behind the June 12 election annulment.

How many people are aware of the annulment of the presidential election beyond the fact that it happened?

Are they aware of the sinister operations behind closed doors before the annulment?

How many Nigerians know the specifics of the “June 12” historic event?

Before you read any further, I would like to tell you that there is no believable true story behind the June 12 election annulment.

The event that occurred on June 12, 1993, is simply avoidable. If it wasn’t, then there should have been a more explanatory reason why it took place.

The 1993 election is still referred to (to date) as the fairest election Nigeria ever had. Moshood Kashimawo Olalekan (MKO) Abiola was about to become president leading Bashir Tofa with a fair gap.

Former military dictator of Nigeria Ibrahim Babangida said he called off the presidential election on June 12, 1993, to prevent a coup.

Babangida is said to have revealed the true story behind the July 12 election annulment decades after the vote. He said that if he had not annulled the election, several senior military figures would have committed a bloody coup.

The arrest

After the election, Abiola declared himself president and was arrested for it. Why would the Abacha government not give Abiola power instead of arresting and accusing him of treason? If, as they claimed, they know that Abiola truly won the election, why arrest him?

Of course, this was a power struggle, and Abacha was under no moral responsibility to act morally, just as the politicians were.

However, this goes beyond personal goals, whether they come from politicians or troops. It deals with the national mentality as a whole.

Simply stating that the annulment took place is insufficient if “June 12” is to be remembered and honored annually. The real reason it occurred and the parts that various people played should be revealed and recorded for posterity.

Aftermath

Following the annulment, a widespread uprising compelled Babangida to resign. Ernest Shonekan was appointed as the leader of a temporary national government on August 27, 1993. Weeks later, the temporary administration was hijacked by the late military dictator General Sani Abacha, who reinstated military control in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s first elected president was sworn in on May 29, 1999. From 2000-2017 May 29 was celebrated as democracy day. However, June 12 became a national holiday in 2018, replacing May 29.