SEVENTEEN years after Nigerians were thrown into mourning over the annulment of the freest and fairest elections won by Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed in Johannesburg, South Africa to turn the date into a memorable one for the country.
That day, a Saturday, Nigerians freely expressed their choice in Abiola as their president but two weeks after, on June 23, the military junta, headed by General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election and thus turned what was good and joyful into sadness.
Yesterday, in many states of the South West, as activities were taking place to commemorate the event, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were narrowly beaten by the Diego Maradona-coached Argentina team.
Even though the near-perfect performance of Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama kept hope alive for the Nigerian team, the hope was eventually dashed through a Gabriel Heinze goal and the ill luck of the Super Eagles strikers at the other end.
It was a day that the Super Eagles of Nigeria brought hope and sunshine into the football artistry of the country as the expected routing of the Eagles, by the lethal strike force of Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, did not happen. It was also a day that the famous Diego Maradona was turned into a ball boy because of his apprehension over the outcome of the game.
Speaking in the mood of the day, former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Olu Falae, on Saturday, raised the alarm that the much touted 2011 general elections might not hold.
He said there were grounds already that the powers that be might hide under in order to postpone the election.
Speaking at a breakfast talk and luncheon organised by the Ondo State Government in commemoration of the June 12, 1993 election, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said the present situations in the country were pointers to the fact that the elections might not hold.
Apart from this, the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, advocated a return of the country to a two-party system, saying that this would go a long way to guarantee free and fair elections in the country.
Falae said: “I have a great doubt in my mind whether they will allow us to have election next year. Many excuses will be put in place, like saying that the voters’ registers are not ready, the security situation of the country, the new INEC boss has just taken charge and so on.
“But one thing that is crystal clear and what the people of this country know is that if elections are not held, legitimate government ends at the midnight of May 28, 2011.”
Mimiko, who noted that June 12 had come to stay as part of the Nigerian history, however, said the election was possible because of internal democracy that led to the emergence of Bashorun Moshood Abiola ad the presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government has declared Monday, June 14, as work free day in commemoration of the 17th anniversary of June 12, 1993 election won by the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
The governor asked all residents of the state to use the day to reflect on the immense contributions of Abiola to the country and work towards a better society.
Meanwhile, human rights activists and social crusaders, including Otunba Gani Adams, Professor Pat Utomi, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Tony Uranta and others have charged Nigerians to actualise June 12 through mass mobilisation for electoral reforms.
The calls were made on Saturday in Lagos at the All Seasons Plaza, Ikeja, during the 2010 commemorative anniversary of June 12, 1993 elections, organised by the Oodua Peoples’ Congress.
Pat Utomi, who was the chairman of the event tagged: “In Search of an Enduring Democracy, described June 12 remembrance as “a reminder of the possibilities that would have taken place, if June 12 had been allowed to count.”
The National Coordinator of the OPC, Gani Adams described June 12 commemoration event as “ a summation of the past and present efforts to highlight, appraise and evaluate activities and political calculation in finding solutions to the national problems confronting Nigeria.
Other notable personalities at the event included, Muhammed Fawehinmi, son of the late Gani Fawehinmi, Professor Kunle Lawal, Professor Ayo Banjo, Professor Kola Raheem, Comrade Ayodele Akele and representatives of Hafsat Abiola, Prince Tony Momoh, amongst others.
Meanwhile, the coast may not be clear for former head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida to emerge as the country’s president in 2011 as the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reform rose against his ambition on Saturday.
The National Coordinator of the group, Chief Ayo Opadokun, called on Nigerians to stand against Babangida at a lecture titled: “2011 elections: the June 12 perspective,” organised to mark the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
He warned Nigerians to be wary of Babangida’s antics, saying his hypocritical call that MKO should be immortalised was a subtle admission of guilt but a provocative attempt to contest for the position of president.
He stated that the country’s electoral system was more important than the person who became Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling on Nigerians to revolt any arrangement that could thwart their vote right.
He said: “Nigerians will not accept any arrangement other than a freshly produced digitalised voters register.”
Present at the gathering were Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), his predecessor, Senator Bola Tinubu, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Baba Omojola and others.
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