By Tunde Rahman
Memories of the June 12 election and the injustice done to Bashorun MKO Abiola with the annulment of a free and fair election he won, his incarceration and eventual death were rekindled last Thursday at the national premiere of “MKO Abiola”, a film directed by my friend, Ose Oyamendan. Those memories will never go away anytime soon.
As I had stated previously, on that fateful day, June 12, 1993, I operated in two important capacities. While I was the Political Correspondent of the old Daily Times covering political activities in Abuja, I was also an officer in the Nigerian Election Monitoring Group put together by the late Prof. Omo Omoruyi (God bless his soul).
Foreboding signs showed that something untoward was underway. Results of the election from 14 states in the country had been inscribed on a giant board erected by late Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s National Electoral Commission – as it was then known – at its headquarters on Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.
MKO was leading comfortably. Then suddenly, further announcements of the results stopped. No word from any of the top officials of the commission, including Prof. Nwosu and NEC spokesperson, Dr Tonnie Iredia. Exasperated by that development and following the feeling that something terrible was being planned, the then Editor of the Daily Times, Dr Femi Sonaike (God bless his soul), published a front-page editorial of the newspaper, demanding further announcement of the results.
As the reporter covering the developments, I was beside myself in ecstasy. That joy was short-lived. Because the Daily Times was a government-owned newspaper, the military considered the editorial an affront. The military sacked Dr Sonaike instantly as Editor. It was a big blow to some of us and pro-democracy activists who felt the editor’s move was bold and courageous, and in line with the dictates of responsible journalism.
A few days later, precisely on June 23, an unsigned statement emerged, formally informing a confused nation that the June 12 election had been annulled. Though unsigned, Mr Nduka Irabor, spokesman for the then Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, told State House Correspondents to attribute the statement to him. Things moved in a spiral, and a wave of unrest soon engulfed the nation.
The annulment of the poll plunged the nation into untold
conflagration. The rest is history. You can then imagine my emotions as I watched Oyamendan’s film. Those sad memories came flooding in torrents: memories of the election annulment, MKO’s arrest, trial in court, his incarceration and death.
Oyamendan has done a yeoman’s job for the nation, helping younger generations know the history of our renascent democracy and helping members of the political class imbibe the appropriate lessons through the documentary film.
June 12 was more than an election. It was a revolution at the ballot box. It was Nigeria’s finest hour. It was also its darkest hour. It was the day we showed the world who we could be. But the days that followed also showed us what we must never be again.
If June 12 must mean something beyond a public holiday, in my view, here are some of the lessons we must imbibe.
One, on June 12, Nigerians voted beyond tribe and religion. A Muslim-Muslim ticket – comprising MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe – won across the country, even in the heartland of Kano and Sokoto, and defeated a Northern Muslim candidate, Bashir Tofa, in his own state.
It proved that Nigerians are not as divided as politicians want us to believe. When we focus on competence and hope, not tribe and religion, we make better choices. The lesson for the people is that belief in Nigeria’s unity and oneness remains unassailable.
President Bola Tinubu embodies that lesson. Like MKO, he won a pan-Nigerian mandate. Like MKO, he is a bridge-builder between the North and South, between Christians and Muslims.
Another poignant lesson is that the power of the ballot is real and unquenchable. June 12 showed that the market woman and the billionaire have the same power. The people spoke, and their voice was clear. The lesson for our people is never to surrender their power. The PVC is more powerful than any politician’s money. Democracy does not defend itself. Citizens must defend it – by voting, by speaking up, by refusing to be silent when democracy is being trampled upon.
Also, institutions matter. The military government at the time thought it could decree away the people’s choice. It failed. The lesson is to build strong, independent institutions – an independent INEC, an impartial judiciary and a free press.
An uncanny link exists between MKO and President Tinubu. MKO campaigned on one powerful promise: “Farewell to Poverty.” President Tinubu campaigned in 2023, 30 years later, on the Renewed Hope Agenda. There is a direct line from Hope 1993 to Renewed Hope. The spirit of June 12 lives in the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope.
President Tinubu has previously remarked:
“I was there in the trenches with MKO. I understand the weight of this history. We will not fail Nigerians.”
The President’s presence at the premiere held at the newly refurbished Prof. Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos was not only a mark of respect and honour for the late MKO, but it was also an affirmation of his readiness to do whatever is necessary to ensure the sanctity of the ballot, as MKO did. The President stayed till the end of the 4-hour programme for the premiere to the delight of many in the audience in the expansive hall.
For the political class, particularly opposition politicians, contesting a national election like the office of president requires intense preparation and a national structure. Those who seek to rule the country must campaign for the people’s votes. They must talk to the people where they live, not campaign on social media. MKO went to every village, every town, every market. He did not sit in Lagos to pontificate – or tweet. He met Nigerians where they lived. Here is the lesson in this: elections are won in the hearts of the people, not on the timelines of X and Facebook.
Go to the people. Build parties as vehicles for elections. MKO had a pan-Nigerian machine. The defunct SDP was in every ward. You cannot win a national election if you cannot field candidates across the country, in all local governments. Serious politics requires serious organisation. Build the party before you seek the presidency.
Power must have a philosophy. MKO had an ideology – welfarism, free education, economic empowerment. He was not just running to be President; he was running to do something with the Presidency.
Similarly, President Tinubu has a vision: to rebuild Nigeria, reset her economy and pave the ground for the country’s prosperity. He has been working hard to achieve this goal, rebuilding roads and other national infrastructure, stabilising the economy, ensuring exchange rate stability, building foreign reserves to restore investors’ confidence, etc since he came on the saddle in 2023.
On a final note: though June 12 ended in tragedy, it gave birth to our present democracy. We must all work to sustain that democracy.
Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media & Special Duties.