Nigerians are today marking Democracy Day also known as June 12. But in any case, June 12 is just like any other date of the year. However, the date has a strong significant relevance to the Nigerian political history.
Democracy Day was initially celebrated annually on May 29 to commemorate the day the military handed over power to an elected civilian government in 1999. This was after several military interregnums. It marked the beginning of the longest continuous civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. In view of the importance of June 12 in the history of Nigeria, former President Muhammadu Buhari on 6 June, 2018, six days to June 12 of that year, set the day aside as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Democracy Day carries huge significance for many Nigerians. It was on this date in 1993 that a general election was held for the first time since the 1983 military coup, which toppled the democratically elected government of late President Shehu Shagari.
Many observers have described the event as the most significant in Nigeria’s post-independence political history. An election widely viewed as the freest, fairest and most peaceful election ever held in Nigeria.
On June 12, thirty years ago, an estimated 14 million Nigerians; set aside ethnic, religious, class, and regional affiliations, to elect their president with the hope of ending several years of military dictatorship.
The euphoria was short-lived. The results of the election were never released. However, unofficial results indicated that the presidential candidate of the then Social Democratic Party, SDP, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola won overwhelmingly.
As much as the citizens celebrate what June 12 represents in the nation’s history, Nigerians must not lose sight of the inherent lessons in that struggle.
Although today, the country is basking in the euphoria of a peaceful transfer of power from successive democratically elected governments, it is not yet Eldorado.
The government and indeed all Nigerians must ensure that the failed promises of June 12, such as abrogation of poverty, equity and Justice are actualized.
Economic prosperity, Security, goodwill and a sense of unity that are some of the hallmarks of the June 12 struggles should be seen as the building blocks of a true and enduring democracy.
As the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is about to take off in full force; June 12 should continue to be the reference point. This should be reflected in appointments, putting aside ethnicity, religion, regionalism or party affiliations.
This should also cut across all the arms of government; The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
The spirit of June 12 was known for fairness, equity and justice; that should be the fulcrum of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, if June 12 is to be well celebrated as democracy day.
Nigerians from all walks of life and all parts of the country must unite behind the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also played a major role in the June 12 struggle, to build a more industrious and peaceful society such that all Nigerians may enjoy a greater, brighter and most rewarding future.
Indeed, June 12 should serve as a continuous reminder to Nigerians on the imperative of pursuing the cause of justice in all spheres of life as a necessary condition for peace, and progress.
The government should also renew its commitment to utilizing democracy as a vehicle for eliminating poverty and strife from the Nigerian State, so that at the end, Peace, Justice, security and economic development will be evident in every community, Local Government Areas, States in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
