Nigeria Celebrates Democracy Day
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As we celebrate democracy day today, what do we know about democracy and why a day has been set out to celebrate?
INTRODUCTION |
The great Abraham Lincoln of America defines democracy to be the government of the people, by the people and for the people.
That is to say, Democracy is a system of government where people of a locale govern themselves directly or through freely voting into power representatives who will lead them and make decisions on their behalf.
On this note, we’ll be talking about the account of Democracy Day in Nigeria, and what it means to the people of this nation as the nation celebrates this day annually.
When is Democracy Day in Nigeria? |
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 screenshot from my calendar |
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Democracy Day is celebrated yearly in Nigeria. It’s a nationwide public holiday in remembrance of the first-ever Nigerian general election on June 12th 1993.
It was initially celebrated on May 29th, but the date was shifted to June 12th in 2019 by the Buhari-led administration in memory of the date an election first took place in Nigeria.
History of Nigerian Democracy Day |
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Nigeria has celebrated Democracy Day since the year 2000, on May 29th in remembrance of the first democratic election.
 Image source pexelsNevertheless, in 2018, the Then Nigerian President, in the person of Muhammadu Buhari announced the shift in the date to June 12th in view that the general election of June 12th 1993 was more befitting to celebrate the values of democracy than the events of May 1999.
On June 12 1993, Nigeria conducted their first-ever general election in 10 years since the 1983 military coup. Many political spectators and Nigerians alike saw the election as the most notable date in Nigeria’s post-independence era. The election results produced MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party winner with over 14 million Nigerians exercising their democratic rights to vote putting an end to eight years of military dictatorships. However, the election was nullified by President Ibrahim Babangida, under the claims of irregularities and unfair process.
The election proceeding and results were later agreed by most observers to be free and fair, and that it should have never been nullified, as MK Abiola won 19 of the 30 States with a vote count of over 8 million in a total cast of 14 million votes. The nullification led to violent protests across the southwest regions of Nigeria, which lead to the government shutting down media houses and arresting journalists who covered the issue. Eventually, the final result was leaked by activists who fought the laws to reveal the Abiola majority. Leading to MK Abiola being arrested, jailed and indicted with treason for declaring himself the rightful President. Hence, why Democracy Day in Nigeria is celebrated on June 12th to honour the election, and MKO Abiola was awarded the honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic.
But the ultimate question that remains in the heart of people after all these years (70 years) is, are we practising true Democracy? Are we given an electoral process free and fair for all? Do our votes count? NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.
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