WHY MUHAMMADU BUHARI MOVED #DemocracyDay FROM MAY 29 TO JUNE 12
By Dr Penking
On June 12, 1993, the first democratic presidential election held in Nigeria after the 1983 military coup. There were two parties: Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention
By Dr Penking
On June 12, 1993, the first democratic presidential election held in Nigeria after the 1983 military coup. There were two parties: Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention
(NRC). Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) was the candidate for SDP while Bashir Tofa represented NRC. Abiola, a South Weaterner, had gained wide popularity through oil and gas and other chains of businesses and was greatly loved by the people. Nigerians from North,South, East and
West came out en masse to cast their vote for Abiola regardless of language, religious , regional lines and he had a landslide victory.
However, the military head of state Head of State Ibrahim Babangida probably obsessed with power, cancelled the election over claims of irregularities despite the fact that the election was so credible that it was confirmed by international observers to be the freest and fairest
in West Africa at that time.
Contrary to what Babangida expected, Nigerians would not have it and the cancellation caused so much unrest that even with his power as a military president, he was forced to step aside on August
Contrary to what Babangida expected, Nigerians would not have it and the cancellation caused so much unrest that even with his power as a military president, he was forced to step aside on August
27,1993. Ernest Shonekan from Ogun state was then appointed to head the interim government.
On June 11,1994, Abiola declared himself the president of Nigeria in Lagos and he was accused of treason. Gen Sani Abacha commanded his arrest and he was arrested on June 23,1994
On June 11,1994, Abiola declared himself the president of Nigeria in Lagos and he was accused of treason. Gen Sani Abacha commanded his arrest and he was arrested on June 23,1994
Abiola was detained for 4 years and cut from any source of information from the outside world apart from Bible and Quran
On July 7, 1998, the very day he was supposed to be released from prison, he died. What a coincidence 😒
The death of Abiola rendered indigenes of
On July 7, 1998, the very day he was supposed to be released from prison, he died. What a coincidence 😒
The death of Abiola rendered indigenes of
South Western Nigeria deeply hurt for decades and they said aside June 12 which the election was conducted as “Abiola Day” to remember how their region was stripped of the Presidency though a keenly contested, credible election was held.
On June 6, 2018, President Buhari moved the Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 to honour Abiola and also probably as a way of appeasing the South westerners.
RIP MKO Abiola
Happy #DemocracyDay Nigerians
RIP MKO Abiola
Happy #DemocracyDay Nigerians
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