June 12: MKO Abiola Died for Democracy—Did Nigeria Bury It With Him?

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica | June 12, 2025
On June 12, Nigeria paused once again to commemorate “Democracy Day,” a date etched in our political memory by the ghost of MKO Abiola and the annulled 1993 elections. Declared a national holiday in 2018 by former President Buhari, it was meant to honor Nigeria’s democratic journey. But for many citizens, June 12 now symbolizes not celebration—but unfulfilled promises, worsening inequality, and the persistent erosion of democratic ideals.
From the streets of Lagos to the communities of Anambra, citizens are asking, “What are we really celebrating?”
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The Democracy We Were Promised
The 1993 election was hailed as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. It was brutally nullified by military powers, yet it became the foundation of a national myth: that someday, we would earn a democracy that reflects the will of the people.
In 1999, when military rule ended, hope surged across the country. Civilian rule returned, and with it came expectations for a better economy, justice system, security, and governance.
Fast forward to 2025, and those expectations lie in tatters. Democracy, in its truest form, remains aspirational—yet to be fully born in Nigeria.
Protests, Not Parades
This year’s June 12 was not marked by parades or unity. Instead, it was punctuated by protests—organized by the Take-It-Back movement and other civic groups. Their message was clear: Democracy has not delivered. From economic hardship to police brutality, insecurity, and state repression, Nigerians—especially the youth—feel betrayed by a system that claims legitimacy but acts with impunity.
One protester in Abuja said it best:
“We’ve been voting for decades, but who’s really governing us? Politicians, not patriots. Rulers, not leaders.”
Celebrating the Wrong Things?
President Tinubu, in a break from tradition, gave his Democracy Day address at the National Assembly instead of a national broadcast. His speech, though heavy on symbolism, was light on substance. There was no bold economic relief package, no commitment to police reform, and certainly no plan to address the hunger gnawing at millions of Nigerian homes.
Instead, leaders offered platitudes while ordinary Nigerians marched under the scorching sun, demanding jobs, electricity, security, and justice.
If democracy means government of the people, by the people, and for the people—then where are the people in Nigeria’s current governance equation?
The Hypocrisy of History
It is striking how Nigeria has institutionalized June 12 as a public holiday, yet consistently dishonors its spirit. MKO Abiola died fighting for a Nigeria that respected the ballot and upheld the rule of law. But today’s Nigeria still battles vote-buying, judicial manipulation, media intimidation, and systemic exclusion.
Meanwhile, millions of youths—the supposed future of this democracy—are jobless, voiceless, and desperate to flee through any border that leads away from home.
A Time for National Soul-Searching
June 12 should not be reduced to a ritual of empty speeches and social media hashtags. It must become a moment of deep national introspection.
We must ask ourselves:
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Why has democracy not delivered for the majority?
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Why do our elections still lack transparency?
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Why does public service feel like private looting?
And more importantly:
What can the Nigerian people do to reclaim the power that has been hijacked by political elites?
Final Word
Until democracy works for the poor and not just the powerful, June 12 will remain more symbolic than significant. Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are asking for what was promised: accountable leadership, equal opportunity, safety, and justice.
So today, as we remember MKO Abiola and the dream of June 12, let us not just clap for democracy—we must demand it, defend it, and redefine it.
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a political analyst and Director of Diaspora Affairs for the LPPMC. He writes from New York and contributes regularly to iNewsAfrica.
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a distinguished information technology, generative AI, and media professional with a robust background in academia and media consultancy. He currently serves as the Publishing Director at iNewsAfrica, an online news platform dedicated to delivering eyewitness news from Africa to a global audience. In addition to his role at iNewsAfrica, Dr. Omoruyi has an extensive academic career, having served as a professor at the College of New Rochelle in New York. His commitment to education is further exemplified by his position as President of the Polytechnic Computer Training Center, where he has been instrumental in advancing computer literacy and education.
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