By Emmanuel Ebimoh
25 years ago the hopes of 14,293,396 Nigerians who came out to vote for their presidential candidate in what was the freest, cleanest and most peaceful elections ever held in the history of the country were dashed to the rocks. No one anticipated that after majority of the votes went unanimously to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, the results would be annulled by the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida. The annulment of the election, which held on June 12, 1993, resulted in a nationwide protest, and later imprisonment and the death of the winner, Chief MKO Abiola, 5 years later. Since then, Nigerians have been tossed back and forth by different regimes of government in a desperate rush to reclaim her democracy.
The race to earn the Nigeria of our dreams has undoubtedly not been an easy journey. As with many developed countries all over the world, building a formidable nation has always required sacrifices from heroes who are ready to fight for the actualization of the people’s mandate. For Nigeria in 1993, having been under the despotic tutelage of military regimes for 14 years after independence, the cry for a new dawn was flowing in the horizon. Nigerians wanted a change. They were tired of selling their will and freedom to the choking orders of the military who were in control of power at the time. They were ready to stay all day, under the sun and in the rain, if required, to establish their national franchise in voting the leader of their choice. Together, Nigerians were united; they were with one voice. It was democracy or nothing else.
After the unprecedented historic event of June 12, 1993 that registered the name of Chief MKO Abiola forever in the annals of Nigeria’s history, it was clear that indeed, with a combined purpose and an unflinching determination, the people have the power. Notwithstanding the higher authority that be, who only have powers to make laws and enforce order in the land, the choice of leadership and effectively the progress of the nation lie solely in the hands of a united people. It was with this same willpower that the people of South Africa, after enduring the pain of apartheid for 46 years, came out en masse in April 1994 to vote for Nelson Mandela as the first black president of the country. Today, despite the challenges of the nation, South Africa has conquered the stack of retrogression and risen on the back of a promising democracy to become one of the fastest growing developing countries in the world. It came with a price – the price to stand as a people with one mind for a better purpose.
The reality of the aftermath of June 12, 1993 is now staring sternly at us in the face. This bitter reality has been asking pertinent questions from us but apparently, our minds have been laden with fear and coaxed with empty promises to give any firm answer. We are at another crossroad in our supposed democratic journey. The reality of the past is still asking questions; begging for answers. In an attempt to restore parity and give temporary peace to the cry of democracy, President Muhammadu Buhari has recognised the victory of Chief MKO Abiola in the 1993 elections. In what some people have called a clear, intelligent chess move, the number one citizen of the land gave due recognition to the late fighter of the people and also conferred his running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe, and human right activist, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi with national honours.
But the questions still pending are, will the conferment of national honours to these great heroes of democracy bring back the rights of the people that was contemptuously stolen by the dictatorial hand of the military 25 years ago? Will these conferment of national honours and declaration of Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, 25 years after his elated victory, wipe away the sufferings that Nigerians have faced on the twisted road to finding democracy for many years? Will Nigerians get the dividends of the true democracy they lost 25 years ago or will they still be led to another charade of political dancers and public office seekers who have nothing to offer but their ill motives? Is there a viable path to light after the end of the tunnel for Nigerians?
These roaring questions are biting but necessary. In less than 8 months from now, another general elections will surface. Nigerians will once again file out in their numbers to vote for their preferred choice of leaders, another move to wrestle for a seat in the hall where true democracy lies. But what guarantee is there that the mandate of the people won’t be scornfully taken away again? What hope does the people have in the quest to get the privileges of democracy that the heroes of the past fought for? The truth is, the goodies of a good nation is the prerogative of all and sundry. And to achieve the Nigeria of our dreams, we must all stand up and speak with one voice.
June 12, 1993 will forever be more than a date in the hearts of Nigerians. It’s a beginning – the birth of a new child that once existed. It’s a rebirth. What we need after June 12 is to experience the joy of democracy, the joy of our new birth. We need to stand up to the reality that even though we remember the efforts of our great heroes of the past, if we do not live in the reality of what they fought for, then their struggles would be in futility. We want to remember June 12 for what it is – the beginning of democracy and live in it. We want to sing and chant songs of victory, erect statues of our heroes who helped mould our path to happiness and engrave their names on the walls of our hearts. We want to enjoy the beauty of our democracy, not just celebrating the date and living a life out of its purpose and relevance. We want our democracy, not just June 12.
Emmanuel Ebimoh is a Social Media Strategist and a Writer. You can contact him on Facebook and LinkedIn: Emmanuel Ebimoh. Email: emmyebimoh@gmail.com
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