Tag: ballot box

Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the lessons of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the flag bearer of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola, the heroic contributions of the pro-democracy movement and the treachery of military collaborators who aborted the dream of a peaceful transfer of power in the ill-fated Third Republic. 

It is a story of great betrayal; an illusion of hope. The soldiers of fortune and their collaborators yelled as Nigerians cast their votes to draw the curtains on the military rule. The embattled military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, had his game plan. When he criminally annulled the most credible election,  gloom enveloped the country. There was despair. There was commotion. The battle for the sanctity of the ballot box had been won and lost instantly.

June 12 underscored the miracle of a free and fair election. It was a vote for national unity, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence by the North and the South. It was a lost opportunity. Since then, the miracle has not been repeated.

Twenty three after the historic presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), was cancelled, the sanctity of the ballot box is yet to be fully restored. Elections are nightmares. At random, winners have become losers. In many instances, the contest has often shifted from the ballot box to the courtroom.

Had Babangida thread the path of honour, perhaps, the situation would have been different today. His reluctance to relinquish power, which he had acquired through a cunning way, wrecked havoc on the country. As the contest was annulled, the SDP national chairman was aloof. The Publicity Secretary said the party had seen the futility of insisting on its revalidation.

A pro-democracy battle ensued. Lives were lost in civil-military clashes. But, the gap-tooth General  was later forced out in disgrace. As he stepped aside, he installed an interim contraption; a joke that later collapsed on the head of its symbol, the highly respected technocrat, yet a political novice, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

Up came the late Gen. Sani Abacha, a dictator who cajoled the gullible political class to team up with him, following his vague promise of handing over to Abiola, the president-elect, who later died in detention after five years of futile battle.

June 12 was a watershed. Ethnicity and religion were not the factors that shaped the presidential contest. Unlike last year’s election, Nigeria was in one accord. Abiola and his running mate, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, were Muslims. But, Nigerians did not raise eyebrow. Despite the dictatorial foundation of the two parties, as they were imposed on the beleaguered nation, the diverse people resolved to adopt them as platforms. The umpire, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, and his team were up and doing.  The electoral process was tedious. But, it made internal democracy more compelling for the two parties. Both Abiola and his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC), passed through the stressful nomination processes at the ward, local government, state and federal levels. The procedure was long, but transparent.

Nigerians were full of eagerness. They were tired of being tossed around by the military. In Nigeria, military rule had become old-fashioned. On poll day, the voters across the six geo-political zones declared a legitimate war against the military marauders.  The popular mood reflected the collective determination to restore civil rule under a credible leadership freely elected by citizens.

However, the midwife of the elongated transition programme was the main obstacle. When people trooped out for the civic duty on June 12, nobody had a premonition of a looming disaster. On long queues, people endured the tedious accreditation and voting process. According to the civil right activists,  no violence was reported.The open ballot method and two party system made rigging impossible.

Around 4pm, it was evident that the people had voted to end the military rule.  Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe and religion, had elected Abiola as the President. Hailing the voters for the feat, the legal luminary, the late Chief  Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), pointed out that, even in the barracks, Abiola won. But, on June 23, 1993, the hope was dashed by the annulment. Nigeria was on the retrogressive path. It was the greatest act of betrayal by the military. Nigerians started perceiving soldiers as national liabilities.

The June 12 saga also unveiled the hypocrisy of the progressive leaders-turned antagonists of the popular will. Many of them are still fighting hard to redeem their dented image after using ‘June 12’ to bargain and trade with military authorities in expectation of juicy appointments, oil blocs and huge contracts. Some influential leaders cleverly suggested the interim government as a way out of the mess, hoping to either head the transitional government or nominate the head. To them, what mattered most were positions, and not principle.

The division in the military was obvious. Some wanted the military to extend its rule; others said that, in utter sensitivity to the wind of change, their time was up.

The ‘June 12’ is still a reference point in the nation’s quest for free and fair elections and political stability. It was a tragedy that, when the June 12 struggle later heralded the civil rule, the progressives who were at the front burner were at the back seat.

Abacha, who disbanded the interim government, and Abiola, the custodian of the mandate, died in the battle. Abiola died while struggling to reclaim the people’s mandate; Abacha died while resisting the people’s will. Under Abacha’s successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, the hawks returned to the drawing board. While civil rule was restored in 1999, Nigeria is still in a fruitless search for democracy, 17 years after.

Heroes of June 12:

The ‘June 12’ battle was not for men of frail will. On the battle field were great fighters who dared the military. These democratic forces were scattered at home and abroad. Many lost their lives and property. When the fight became hotter, some developed cold feet, betrayed the cause and deserted the battle. However, many also endured the heat and fought to the end during the delicate period.  For example, Abacha sent a strong message to Air Marshall Ndubusi Kanu to either desert the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) or face bullet. A General, who hosted the first meeting of the agitators at his Ikeja residence, later demurred. The likes of Senator Abraham Adesanya, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obiorah, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, Dr. Amos Akingba and Commodore Dan Suleiman were been hunted by the military. Some of them fled the country. Abiola’s wife, Kudirat, was killed during the struggle. So was Chief Alfred Rewane, a great financier of the struggle. Many crusaders, including Ayo Opadokun and the late Dr. Beko Ransom-Kuti, were detained.

Abiola

 The billionaire businessman had a vision-the abolition of poverty. He was a friend of the military. He knew their tricks, but he could not understand all. Apparently, Abiola may have been underrated too by his soldier-friends. His credential was highly intimidating. He was a household name; a philanthropist and a man of the people.  On the podium, he was electrifying. He demonstrated an uncanny knowledge of the economy. It appeared he had solutions to the problems. Largely perceived as the liberator of the people from the military cage, Abiola received massive support, beating his rival, Tofa in his native Kano State. He pulled 8,341,309 votes, representing 58.36 percent of total votes. When Babangida annulled the election, there was sporadic protest. Up to now, the ghost of the annulment still hunts the Minna-born General. Abiola declared himself President-elect at Epetedo, Lagos Island. He was the martyr.

Kudirat

 Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was one of Abiola’s numerous wives. She was a wife in a million. The annulment catapulted her into the pro-democracy movement. She was endowed with a heart of steel and stone. Kudirat faced the odds with determination. She was unstoppable. Whenever she stormed the meeting of the pro-democracy groups, agitators believed that Abiola was around. She was bold, fearless and courageous. She challenged the military over her husband’s  solitary confinement. Her leadership motivated other pro-democracy groups to spring to seek the actualisation of the mandate.  In 1994, Kudirat was actively involved in sustaining the oil workers strike. She was arrested, and later, released on bail. Despite this harassment, she was unwavering. When protesters were detained, she would promptly visit police stations to secure their release. Kudirat knew that her life was in danger. The Amazon was planning to process a visa to leave the country before she was killed. On June 4, 1996, a few days to the third  anniversary of the June 12 election, Kudirat was shot dead by assassins in Oregun, Ikeja.

Ajasin

 Chief Adekunle Ajasin, former governor of Ondo State, doubled as Afenifere and NADECO leader. He was a principled fighter and moral voice who offered inspiration to the democratic forces. Already an old man, Ajasin, despite the threat to his health and safety, never wavered. The Owo politician had objected to the participation of progressives in Abacha government. Bbut Abiola prevailed on him to give his consent. His bedroom was invaded by former Governor Ibe Onyearugbulem, who had the mandate from Abacha to make Ondo State uncomfortable for the NADECO forces. In June 1995, his house was invaded by soldiers. His followers were arrested. He followed them to the state police headquarters, Akure. They were released 24 hours later. Ajasin was enraged over Abiola’s detention. He passed on when the battle was still hot.

Rewane

 Rewane used his pen and money to fight the military to a standstill. He was a pillar of financial support for all NADECO and many human rights activities. His motive was the de-annulment of the June 12 election. He also personally campaigned against official graft in high places, lack of accountability and gross violation of human rights by the military. But on October 6, 1995, he was murdered in curious circumstances which elicited wide outcry.

 Adesanya

  Adesanya, Awoist, lawyer, and Second Republic senator, became the leader of Afenifere after the death of Ajasin. His Personal Assistant was Rev. Tunji Adebiyi. Adesanya’s compatriots in the group who also fought the military were Chiefs Ganiyu Dawodu, Bola Ige, Lam Adesina, Ayo Adebanjo, Olaniwun Ajayi, Solanke Onasanya, Femi Okunrounmu, Olabiyi Durojaye, Cornelius Adebayo and Dr. fredrick Fasehun, the founder of the oodua Peoples Congress (OPC). Some of them suffered bruises. Rev. Adebiyi was bearing a letter from NADECO leaders in Lagos to Ajasin at Owo when he was arrested at 10 pm at Maryland by the police. Persistent pleas by Kudirat Abiola secured his release. Adesina was captured by soldiers during a protest at Ibadan as a “prisoner of war”. Durojaye, Adebanjo and Dawodu were detained. Assassins were also trailing Aremo Segun Osoba. He escaped been hit by bullets by whiskers. In 1997, Adesanya miraculously escaped assassin’s bullets. He remained undaunted to the end. Under his leadership, Afenifere intensified the battle for restructuring and true federalism.

Enahoro

Chief Anthony Enahoro, a nationalist, was the chairman of NADECO’s Steering Committee. In 1995, he was detained for almost three months without any charge by Abacha. Before he escaped abroad, he was a torn in the flesh of the military. He also chaired the Movement for National Reformation (MNR) and the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO). Enahoro was the leader of NADECO abroad.

Tinubu:

 In the Third Republic, he was a senator. In the Upper Chamber, Senator Bola Tinubu was the rallying point for senators seeking an end to military rule. He challenged IBB to a duel. When the military leader annulled the poll, he demanded for explanations. Tinubu dared the military, urging the masses to resist the brutal act. He was briefly detained and released. After escaping abroad, he became one of the leaders and financial pillars of NADECO abroad.

Fawehinmi

 Fawehinmi was an outstanding lawyer and world-acclaimed human rights crusade.  He was detained for a long period by the military government.  He provided legal, moral and financial support for freedom fighters. Even, IBB acknowledged him as a man of courage and principle.

Soyinka

 Nobel Laureate Professor Soyinka was one of the brains behind Radio Kudirat. Other frontline activists behind the opposition radio were Enahoro and Dr.Kayode Fayemi, who made broadcasts leaking plans by the soldiers to wipe out freedom fighters from Nigeria. It was the radio that alerted people to the plot to assassinate Ajasin and Adesanya. In 1994, Soyinka lived in exile in the US and France after leaving Nigeria. He mounted a strong international campaign against Abacha’s dictatorial regime. In 1997 he was tried in absentia with other opposition members for a phony charge of bomb attacks against army. The Abacha regime sentenced Soyinka to death in absentia. He still lives to tell the tale.

Akinyemi

Among those who offered intellectual support for NADECO activities were Professors Akinyemi, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Segun Gbadegesin, Ropo Sekoni, Ade Banjo and Adebayo Williams. They wrote numerous incisive articles denouncing the annulment, military rule and rights violation. They were targets of attacks by the military. They fled the country to continue the onslaught abroad. Banjo had purchased 3,000 riffles to launch a guerrilla war against Abacha. He was caught and detained before he escaped to Ghana.  If the asylum proposed by Prof. Akinyemi had been accepted, Abiola may not have been killed. But, the chief rejected the asylum, saying that the President-elect of the most populous nation in Africa could not be seeking asylum in American Embassy.

Kokori

 Chief Frank Kokori, a fearless Labour leader and former Secretary-General of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) organised the oil workers’ strike that rattled Abacha in 1994. He was arrested by the security operatives and was moved round different prisons, mostly in the northern part of the country.

Carrington

 Walter Carrington  served as United States Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria between 1993 and 1997. He actively supported the struggle for the validation of the election results, chiding the military for the annulment and human rights abuses. His remarks were weighty and they influenced the United States to mount pressure on the military to vacate power.

Adebanjo

 Ayo Adebanjo,  a fearless politician,  was staunch member of NADECO. Despite the threat to his life and property, he was resolute in the fight for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. It was ironic, because Abiola and his leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, never politically agreed. Since he passed on, Adebanjo has been calling for the immortalisation of Abiola.

Epetedo Group

 Among the agitators who organised the Epetedo Declaration were  theb late Senator Dosunmu, the late Prince Ademola Adeniji-Adele, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Senator Ajayi from Ekiti, Hon. Adesina from Abeokuta,  and Sikiru Shitta-Bey.

Opadokun

 Opadokun was  the General Secretary of the Afenifere and NADECO. For five years, he was in detention. It is painful to him that, after the restoration of the civil rule, military apologists and collaborators became the beneficiaries of the battle in 1999.

Oshun

 Olawale Oshun is a former Chief Whip of House of Representatives. When the IBB regime cancelled the election, he was among the legislators who denounced the criminal act. He was one of the few people that planned the ‘Epetedo Declaration’ for Abiola. When Opadokun was seized by the military, he became the NADECO secretary. He was later released, after which he fled abroad to continue the fight. He wrote his book, ‘Clapping with one hand’, in detention.

Kanu

The former governor of Imo and Lagos states was at the forefront of the agitation for the actualisation of the mandate. Abacha once told him to deck his khaki and face him with his gun, instead of joining forces with civilians to rubbish him. When he persisted in his NADECO activities, his businesses were crippled by the military. His private residence was searched by security agents. He was accused of planning to importing arms and ammunitions.

Nwankwo

Among the organisations that formed NADECO was the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU) led by the irrepressible advocate of human rights and good governance, Clement Nwankwo. He shared that virtue of consistency and bravery with Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who were prominent NADECO chieftains. A fierce speaker and prolific writer, Nwankwo was never afraid of detention camps.

Ige

 The Cicero of Esa-Oke had shunned the IBB transition programme, following Awo’s admonition to his followers to learn to dine with the devil with a long spoon. However,  the entry of the late Chief Bola Ige, after the expiration of ‘siddon look’ period, inspired the pro-democracy agitators to fight on. He was a leading fighter under NADECO and Afenifere, where he was deputy leader. Ige had a caustic tongue, which he used to bite the Abacha regime. It was he who described the five political parties of that period as five fingers of a leprous hand. He was detained at Epe.

Balarabe Musa:

 The former governor of Kaduna State refused to join the bandwagon of tribal egoists. He believed that June 12 offered a redemptive option to the country in its quest for legitimate leadership. To him, the annulment was a national calamity and the struggle was not a sectional affair as wrongly projected by military spin doctors. On few occasions too, prominent northern leaders, including the late Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, spoke forcefully against Babangida regime for foisting an avoidable crisis on the country.

Abubakar Umar

 As military governor of Kaduna State, he had shown the tendency of a radical. The political scientist was of the view that the military had overstayed in power to the detriment of the masses. Col. Abubakar Umar Dangiwa (rtd) spoke forcefully in defense of the Abiola. To him, the symbol was not the main issue, but the seizure of the nation’s collective passport for a genuine flight to the horizon of democratic progress.

Ondo NADECO

 These were NADECO members based in Ondo State. Prominent among them were Chief Segun Adegoke, a lawyer and Awoist, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, who later became governor, Mrs. Bolaji Osomo before she joined Abacha cabinet, and Senator Okunrinboye. When the late military governor, Onyearugbulem, and some soldiers invaded the Owo country home of Ajasin, an encounter ensued between the governor and Adefarati. The governor asked Adefarati  whether he was a NADECO member. Adefarati, beating his chests three times, answered in the affirmative. The soldiers could not arrest him in Ajasin’s room.

Falae

 The former Secretary to the Federal Military Government and Finance Minister was very active in Afenifere and NADECO. He was one of the ardent supporters of Abiola during the battle for the revalidation of the annulled results. Other Afenifere leaders who were active during the struggle included Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who resigned from the Constitutional Conference Commission set up by Abacha, Chief Supo Sonibare, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Baba Omojola, Chief Rafiu Jafojo, Chief S.K. Babalola, and Rev. Tunji Adebiyi. Before they joined Abacha government, the duo of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Ebenezer Babatope were also at the forefront of the clamour for the de-annulment of the june 12, 1993 election.

Lam Adesina

 A disciple of Awo and former federal legislator, Adesina was always opposed to military rule. He had used his column to spite the soldiers of fortune who milked the country dry. For participating in the anti-military demonstrations at Ibadan, Oyo State capital,  Adesina was ‘captured’ by the Military Administrator, Col. Usman, as a prisoner of war. He languished in detention. Adesina later served as governor.

Bishop Gbonigi:

 The activist-cleric, Rt. Rev. Bolanle Gbonigi, was nicknamed the ‘NADECO Bishop’ because of his principled position on June 12. He decried the injustice from the pulpit and offered moral and spiritual support to the pro-democracy agitators.

Akinrinade:

 Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) was one of the leaders of NADECO abroad, who committed enormous time, energy and resources to the struggle for justice. His private residence at Ikeja was torched by suspected government agents. The same tribulation befell his compatriot, Dr. Akingba, a former university don. He was harassed by the military. His residence was also attacked in Lagos.

Labour, right groups and media:

 Human rights leaders-Dr Beko Ransom-Kuti, his brother, Prof. Olikoye Ransom-Kuti, Femi Falana, Femi Aborisade, Chima Ubani, Joe Igbokwe, Olisa Agbakoba, Ayo Obe, Rev. Fr. Mzathew Kukah, now Bishop Ebun Adegboruwa,  Joe Igbokwe, Clement Nwankwo, Felix Tuodolo, Debo Adeniran, Akinola Orisagbemi, who was Personal Assistant to Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, Innocent Chukwuma, and numerous activists under the banners of the Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, NUJ, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, Lagos Justice Forum,  and NANS made invaluable contributions to the struggle.