Nigerians have been urged to use Democracy Day marked on June 12 as moment to reflect on the nation’s democratic journey and renew their commitment to the ideals of freed, as a om, fairness, and inclusive governance.
The Presidency, in a statement marking the Day, called on every Nigerian, young and old, to see the day as not only about remembrance, but a call to action.
“This year’s commemoration is not just about paying tribute to history; it is about defending the future.
“From Abuja to Ibadan, from classrooms to markets, Nigerians are being reminded that the democracy they enjoy today was not handed down freely. It was fought for by journalists, activists, students, and citizens who dared to speak when silence was safer.
“June 12 is now both a memorial and a mirror: a reminder of what was lost, and a reflection of how far the nation has come,” the presidency stated.
June 12 traces back to 1993, when millions of Nigerians came together in what has since been described as the freest and fairest election in the country’s history. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola, a widely respected businessman and philanthropist, was the presumed winner, having run on a message of national unity and hope.
However, the promise of that election was abruptly cut short. On June 23, 1993, the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the results without explanation, plunging the nation into crisis. What followed was a period marked by protests, brutal crackdowns, and the rise of pro-democracy groups like the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
Abiola’s refusal to renounce his mandate led to his arrest in 1994, and after four years of imprisonment, he died in custody on July 7, 1998, just weeks after the death of General Sani Abacha.
For decades, June 12 remained a symbol of national betrayal and of the people’s unwavering demand for justice.
In 2018, under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Nigeria officially recognised June 12 as its true Democracy Day, replacing the former May 29 date. Abiola was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), restoring a portion of what was denied to him in life.
