General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd) usurped the Mohammadu Buhari’s military regime and took over the mantle of leadership on 27 August, 1985 through 1993. IBB while in army uniform under military dispensation credited to himself the office of the presidency that supposed to be pronounced only during civilian administration. However, the IBB administration promised to return power to democratic governance by 1990. In the light of the above, the high expectancy of civilian administration in 1990 by Nigerians, was dashed as IBB nullified all the then political organizations and introduced a two-party system namely: Northern Republican Convention (NRC), with Alhaji Tofa as the party’s flag bearer. The second was, Southern Democratic Pary (SDP), with Chief M.K.O Abiola as its party frontier, respectively.

In his strategy and scheming the ex-head of state extended the election of candidates from 1990 to 1993, and Nigerians obeyed the political structures outlined by the military junta. Realistically, elections were conducted to various political positions ranging from Local Government Council, State House of assemblies, gubernatorial, National Assembly and the presidential poll scheduled for June 12 1993. In the political analysis of the nation since her birth fifty years ago, June 12, 1993 presidential election was the best of its kind under IBB administration, which received national and international accolade because of how fair and peaceful it was conducted. Of course, the election was between Alhaji Tofa and late Chief M.K.O Abiola.

Without twisting words, it was hopeful that with the support of the Northern bigshots in authorities, Alhaji Tofa would emerge as Presidential winner at the poll. Frankly, throughout elections, it was crystal clear that Chief M.K.O Abiola swept his victory across the nation at the poll. Meanwhile, jubilation excels in the air, awaiting the official pronouncement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (alias INEC), under the chairmanship of Professor Humphrey Nwosu. Contrarily, the news that filtered people’s ear was the nullification of the election by IBB and of course, the nation was thrown into state of coma. In fact, from the grave vine, it was observed that the political maradona nullified the presidential elections of June basically for the fact that his contemporary Alhaji Tofa was defeated. The northerners would always marginalize and suppress the southerners in terms of occupying sensitive and key positions in the counry.

Obviously, the political crisis was heightened emanating from the nullification of the well conducted election and popularly won by a southerner, which had led precious souls to the great beyond caused by greed, geocentricism and human devilish manipulations.

Psychologically, Moshood K. O. Abiola fought gallantly to maintain his status quo through the assistance of international community, which forced IBB to diplomatically step aside in 1993 at the heat of the episode. In the interim, the Leopard type of ruler. General Sani Abacha suddenly usurped the Interim National Government (ING) established by the Babangida’s administration and headed by Barrister Ernest Shonekan, who relinquished his national obligation under compulsion in November, 1993. 

On assumption of office, General Abacha played a Lamb-like beast role as the entire citizenry expected he would have healed the wounds inflicted on the nation by his mentor. In his struggle to declare himself president as popularly focused with the backup of the international community, Abiola was arrested by the Abacha’s tyrannical government and was imprisoned.

Unfortunately, Chief Abiola ended the presidential race in the prison. Meanwhile, the tyrannical government of Abacha continued until he was equally snatched away by the cold arms of Death on June 8, 1998. This incident terminated the bloody administration of IBB. It is pertinent that all these while, IBB did not deem it necessary to appeal to the nation and his purpose for the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections.

There is the ancient parable that, “twenty lumps of yam is too much to be used for pepper soup”, Invariably, Nigeria is too big to be ridiculed by an individual, probably because of military might, that the legitimate rights of the citizenry were infringed upon and carpeted.

It is ironical that ex-military head of state has come to his senses to aplogise for the episode of June 12, 1993 after seventeen years of silence and negligence. Culled from a newspaper published on the front page of Monday April 26, 2010, IBB asserted: “I’ve apologized for June 12 annulment… “Every leader makes a mistake; I am not an exception.”

Furthermore, speaking with reporters in Lagos, Babangida said, “he had apologized to Nigerians for annulling the election, which was presumed to have been won by Chief M.K.O Abiola by taking responsibility for the action ..” However, fanciful that apology may sound, it is not relevant, not necessary or needed here and now after seventeen years of cajoling the nation. At this juncture, one may opine that apology is completely belated and valueless.

Additionally, IBB should not dream to contest any presidential election in Nigeria, moreover as belonging to the old breed generation, but rather should give room for the new breed politicians and stand the position to encourage them as elderstatesman and render his wealth of experiences to the younger generations. Without doubt, they are more political and leadership awareness in our contemporary society these days than yester-years.

Retrospectively, Nigeria is no more in Protectorates and Provinces, but a sovereign entity, operating a united democratic system of government which provides equal rights to the entire citizenry which equally makes it arduous for domineering influences of a person or group of persons without due process and rule of law.

Herein, it behoves one to beckon on bonafide citizens of the land to apply prudence in the political and democratical exercises come the 2011 polls. The nation is undergoing some-economic and political restructural development under the dynamic leadership of the present administration of the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Finally, enough is enough of the bloody, tyrannical and dictatorial leadership in this nation. It is wise that we pull resources and ideologies together to make the forthcoming 2011 polls better than the annulled June 12 of IBB, seventeen years back.

Ominyanwa resides in Port Harcourt.

Goddy Ominyanwa