More Than a Public Holiday: The Significance of June 12th

    Twenty-one years ago on this day, June 12th, a presidential election was held in Nigeria with the Social Democratic Party fielding two Muslims vying for the Presidency; Moshood Abiola and BabaGana Kingibe.  The SDP had more votes even in Kano State- the state of origin of the NRC presidential candidate, Bashir Tofa. Though the election was annulled, it is noted to be the freest and fairest election ever held in the history of Nigeria. June 12th can be adjudged to be the second most important date in the country next to Independence Day as it is the progenitor of the democracy we enjoy today. In 1999, no northerner contested for the presidency alongside Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae. The annulment therefore caused the political north to cede the presidency to the south west as compensation. June 12 also heralded the beginning of socio-political groups. There have been calls for the late Moshood Abiola to be immortalized, honoured with the highest award in the country and the National Assembly complex renamed after him. As we celebrate June 12 with a public holiday in the south west of the country, we should ask ourselves, what have we done with our democracy? A stakeholders’ meeting will hold in the country’s capital where major political parties will gather to address issues in the polity. The meeting, convened by the government is aimed to protect the citizenry, avoid interparty troubles and promote national security. The spirit of June 12 is still alive within us today; we can enjoy national unity devoid of ethnic and religious strife in defiance to insurgency and corruption.