M.K.O. Abiola and the restless spirit of June 12

June 12, 1993 has remained an iconic day in the history of Nigeria. It was the day Nigerians spoke with one voice against tribal and religious divisiveness as expressed in the election of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe as the President and Vice President of Nigeria respectively on a Muslim/Muslim ticket. But for the unpatriotic act of the former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, in annulling the widely acclaimed free and fair election, Nigeria’s journey to democracy would have long been better consolidated.

Pursuant to the Holidays Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Buhari declared June 12 of every year as a holiday to honour the heroes and heroines of the June 12 struggle. This is commendable but beyond declaring such holiday and naming institutions after the icon of democracy in Nigeria, what has successive government, done to affirm and propagate the spirit of June 12? I beg to say, it is little. There are still many unsung heroes of June 12; their death must not be in vain.

Our elections are still marred with fraud and violence to the extent that those that fraudulently get themselves into power dare others to go to court. What will be the confidence of the people in the Judiciary with the kind of statements allegedly made by Senator Bulkachuwa during the valedictory session of the Ahmed Lawal’s 9th Senate and which has now gone viral, bragging about how he influenced his wife, the former President of the Court of Appeal (Rtd). Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, in her official decisions to help his colleagues in the Senate? The Senate President had to interrupt him and admonished him to stop embarrassing the Senate President.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu played an integral role in the June 12 struggle during the NADECO days, and is the best person now suited to finally honour the spirit of June 12. His June 12 speech is quite comforting but we need to go beyond speeches. His actions must continue to walk his talk.

As a matter of priority, our electoral system has to be rejigged for efficiency. Nigerians must trust their electoral umpires and the President has to see that this happens. Once this is achieved, the huge number of election petitions will substantially reduce. Elected leaders should emerge through the ballot boxes, not through the courts.

As much as it is possible, the Judiciary should be insulated from deciding the elected leaders of the people. For this to happen, President Tinubu must implement the Uwais Committee’s report as a way of ensuring a credible and trust-worthy electoral system at all tiers of government. That’s the real message of June 12.

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