June 12 1993: Lawyers, Civil Society draw lessons for Nigeria’s political class

The recent revelations on the annulment of the June 12, 1993, Presidential election in Nigeria, by former President Ibrahim Babangida, has continued to elicit reactions from Legal experts and Civil Society advocates, especially on the lessons learnt by the political class so far.

But Okechukwu Osuoha, Deputy National Legal Adviser of the main opposition, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), noted that while Nigerians are looking at the negative consequences of the annulment of the June 12 Presidential election, it is obvious that the country has not learnt any lesson, given the current direction of politics in the country.

Auwal Ibrahim (Rafsanjani), executive director of the Civil Society and Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), decried the roles played since 1999 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and the Judiciary, in failing to uphold the tenets of democracy, in Nigeria.

For him, these institutions failed to strengthen democracy by not upholding the rule of law and delivering on free, fair and credible election, in the country

Former President Babangida had on Thursday, in Abuja, at the public presentation of his autobiography, “A journey in Service” admitted in the book that Abiola won the election, having won majority of the votes cast.

He wrote in the book: “Although I am on record to have stated after the elections that Abiola may not have won the elections, upon deeper reflection and a closer examination of all the available facts, particularly the detailed election results, which are published as an appendix to this volume, there was no doubt that MKO Abiola won the June 12 elections.

“Upon closer examination of the original collated figures from the 110,000 polling booths nationwide, it was clear that he satisfied the two main constitutional requirements for winning the Presidential elections, mainly majority votes and geographical spread, having obtained 8,128,720 votes against Tofa’s 5,848,247 votes and securing the mandatory one-third of the votes cast in 28 states of the federation, including Abuja.

“Unfortunately, the forces gathered against him after the June 12 elections were so formidable that I was convinced that if he became President, he would be quickly eliminated by the same very forces who pretended to be his friends.

“While I accept that the unfortunate denial of his mandate amounted to a subversion of the will of the Nigerian people, I was petrified that if Abiola got killed, it could lead to a civil war.

“Having participated in one civil war, with all its horrors, pains and devastation, I wasn’t prepared to see another.

“I am gratified that the Buhari administration finally recognised ]MKO Abiola as a ‘former head of state.”

He described the annulment as a shocking and regrettable moment in Nigeria’s history.

He revealed that the annulment of the election also nearly cost him his life.

This revelation finally laid to rest the controversy over who won the election, as the then administration of Babangida, it will be recalled, declared the election inclusive and cancelled the entire results, even though the election was described as one of the most peaceful, free and fair, in the history of Nigeria.

The Former military dictator however stated in the book that ” If I have the opportunity to do the same again, I will do things differently” Osinbajo quotes IBB as saying in his book.

But Rafsanjani applauded Babangida for coming out with the revelation, while still alive.

He however, berated Nigerian politicians for not doing enough to ensure free, fair and credible elections, despite the nation’s historical experience

According to him, “It is good that he revealed this before he passes on. But our regret is that Nigerian politicians have not shown that they have learnt from the treatment they got from the military.”

Read also: June 12: Anger, resentment in Nigeria as Babangida heaps blame on the dead

He also said that the revelation “is a direct reflection of how complex the Nigeria political system is.”

He noted that the former President had to take the responsibility even if he was not the only one that took that decision.

On the lessons for Nigeria, the Civil Society crusader noted that Nigeria went through a repercussion that was avoidable, including economic distress and killing of innocent citizens.

“IBB would have been one of the greatest leaders the world ever had, but unfortunately, the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election cost him that glory.

“Sadly, also Nigerian politicians are doing worst. The political parties are virtually after capturing power for power sake. They have learnt nothing from the experience, as same things are repeating themselves, even today.”

He also described it as a strong message to the judiciary, as they are losing their credibility.

“No investor wants to invest where they are not sure of getting Justice. It is no longer a secret that our judiciary has become a cash and carry system, where justice is for the highest bidder. Unless we check ourselves, the nation may just be on a motion without movement, no progress,” he said.

Okechukwu Osuoha, PDP deputy national legal adviser, said that the revelations from the June 12 annulment notwithstanding, nothing has been learnt by the political class.

“How well has the political class fared in enthroning the basic principles that strengthen democracy?” he queried

For him, “Democracy thrives on the principles of rule of law and you have principles that guide democracy, the question is how well have we imbibed them?”

On the way toward for Nigeria, Osuoha advocated the strengthening of institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Judiciary and the Police, adding that “Until these are done and are allowed to function seamlessly, we cannot continue to blame former President Ibrahim Babangida.

Osuoha, who cited the case of the recent election held in Nigeria’s neighborhood, Ghana, stated that only a “a credible independent national electoral system could have ensured that Ghana achieved such outstanding election results.

“As a lawyer, I grew up knowing that whatever the court pronounces has become a law, but today, because people now procure justice with money and influence, judicial pronouncements are no longer respected; so, they do not carry weight.

“The Police need to be strengthened also. In other advanced societies, it is a taboo to hear that a policeman has succumbed to undue influence, but it is a common thing in Nigeria.”