JUNE 12, 1993: THE MOST INFAMOUS DATE IN NIGERIA POLITICAL HISTORY: HON. JATTO JOHN OVIE
*JUNE 12, 1993: THE MOST INFAMOUS DATE IN NIGERIA POLITICAL HISTORY, THE HOROSCOPE BEHIND IT'S RELEVANCE ON THE NATION POLITICAL TERRAIN AND ITS' UNIQUENESS TO THE S. U. G. UNIBEN SECRETARIAT (JUNE 12 BUILDING) BY HON. JATTO JOHN OVIE.*
_June 12, 1993 to this moment seem just like yesterday, but it is not just another calendar day in Nigeria; because in progressive ideological circles, today is regarded as the authentic ‘Democracy Day’ as against the ‘May 29′ popularly celebrated by the Federal Govt of Nigeria._
*Here are twelve important historic facts you need to know about this date according to Ajomole Helen of Naij.com;*
_1. The date is celebrated in honour of an annulled presidential election in June 12, 1993. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, often referred to as M. K. O. Abiola, ran for the presidency in 1993, and is widely regarded as the presumed winner of the inconclusive election since no official final results were announced till date._
_2. The election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, because of alleged evidence that they were corrupt and unfair, a development that ushered in a political crisis that led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year._
_3. In 1994, Abiola declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in the Epetedo area of Lagos island, an area mainly dominated by Lagos Indigenes, after he returned from a trip to solicit the support of the international community for his mandate. After declaring himself president he was declared wanted and was accused of treason and arrested on the orders of military President General Sani Abacha, who sent 200 police vehicles to bring him into custody._
_4. Moshood Abiola was detained for four years, largely in solitary confinement with a Bible, Qur'an, and fourteen guards as companions._
_5. Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua is said to have predicted the annulment to Abiola and warned him against contesting._
_6. Abiola's involvement in politics started at a young age. He was 19-years-old when he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1979._
_7. For the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Abiola's running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe. He overwhelmingly defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention._
_8. Abiola died on July 7, 1998 on the day he was due to be released from incarceration under suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of General Abacha. The official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, but Abacha's chief security officer, Al-Mustapha alleged he was beaten to death._
_9. MKO Abiola used a "Hope" campaign which President Barrack Obama also used. Many people may have paid attention to the word "Hope" being used to convey a message of possibility during Obama's 2008 election in America, but 15 years before then in Africa's most populous nation, MKO Abiola became a rallying figure for many Nigerians with his "Hope" campaign._
_10. MKO Abiola died for the June 12 mandate but he was not the only June 12 casualty as General Sani Abacha also died in mysterious circumstances on June 8, 1998._
_11. Chief MKO Abiola's memory is celebrated in Nigeria and internationally. June 12, remains a public holiday in Lagos and Ogun states and other All progressive Congress party states. MKO Abiola Stadium was named in his honour._
_12. The election was declared Nigeria's freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent's home state._
_June 12 is thus a day to remember chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as well as other democracy martyrs._
*IT'S UNIQUENESS WITH THE SUG UNIBEN SECRETARIAT (JUNE 12).*
_The Union secretariat cannot be written off history to this infamous date (June 12, 1993), because after the annulment of 1993 election, series and chains of events played out. To bring clarity to this subject matter, I have to crave your indulgence to buttress on that fact that the informations at my disposal were used to create this piece._
_The June 12 Secretariat (Building) was originally called "The Nelson Mandela Building" named after the iconic South African legend late Nelson Mandela, before the completed building was commissioned by the then President-elect himself, Bashorun MKO Abiola on 27th, October 1993 and was renamed to the June 12 Building._
_I imagined MKO Abiola never predicted that in four (4) months and 14 days after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election to October 27, 1993, he would be coming to the great University Of Benin to grace the podium by honouring the Union request to commission the first ever completed SUG building secretariat._
_The Nelson Mandela Building was later renamed to "The William Ubong Secretariat" in honor of the most epitomized SUG Secretary General, 1997 in person of late comr. William Ubong of Blessed memory._
_MKO Abiola fame waxed stronger and spread across the country. Later that same year 1993, June 12 became a common and household name and even had an effect on students of tertiary institutions amidst nationwide protests._
_June 12 became one of the most infamous date in Nigeria political history and up till this day, it's been celebrated nationwide and internationally, some even refer to it as the "true democracy day", we still savour this moment to call our Union secretariat, "June 12 Building" till date._
*HOW CAN WE FORGET THE TRAUMA OF THAT PERIOD ?*
_According to one of my sources, it was said that during the presidential debate in 1993, Abiola spoke to Nigerians and answered their questions on what his plans are and how he will help Nigeria to become great. June 12, 1993 came with a manifesto and programs of hope. That is why it is sad that we didn't experience the reign of Abiola._
_A mandate similar to what Abiola got in 1993 and the hopes and confidence that came with it are necessary ingredients for growth and development of Nigeria. I don't think anybody can rule Nigeria successfully without a mandate similar to that which Abiola obtained in 1993. The mandate cut across religion, regions and tribes. It was a universal mandate, made in Nigeria._
_It will also be impossible for anyone to lead Nigeria and make meaningful progress without a manifesto of hope and programs that are well planned and thought through._
_The June 12, 1993 election had represented for Nigeria a life-time opportunity for national unity. The elections defied religious considerations to produce a Muslim president and vice president both men having received an overwhelming mandate of all Nigerians. The annulment of the exercise unleashed unsavoury events that the country is yet to recover from till today._
_The transition programme did not only gulp an estimated N40 billion of our national resources, it also led to authoritarian resurgence, cost lives of many Nigerians including Chief MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, Chief Alfred Rewane among others. Besides, many elder statesmen and national icons were forced into exile._
_In conclusion, It is quite unfortunate and pathetic that barely 24 years after; villains, who ought to be regretfully examining their consciences in some penitentiary still have the audacity to rewrite our history before the actors, many of whom are still alive and even leading. It speaks to the damage that has been done to Nigeria's history. Certainly, an awakening to the nation's history in the academia and in the consciousness of all Nigerians is the only answer to such revisionism._
_*BY; HON. JATTO JOHN OVIE*_
_*SUG SECRETARY GENERAL, UNIBEN.*_
_June 12, 1993 to this moment seem just like yesterday, but it is not just another calendar day in Nigeria; because in progressive ideological circles, today is regarded as the authentic ‘Democracy Day’ as against the ‘May 29′ popularly celebrated by the Federal Govt of Nigeria._
*Here are twelve important historic facts you need to know about this date according to Ajomole Helen of Naij.com;*
_1. The date is celebrated in honour of an annulled presidential election in June 12, 1993. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, often referred to as M. K. O. Abiola, ran for the presidency in 1993, and is widely regarded as the presumed winner of the inconclusive election since no official final results were announced till date._
_2. The election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, because of alleged evidence that they were corrupt and unfair, a development that ushered in a political crisis that led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year._
_3. In 1994, Abiola declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria in the Epetedo area of Lagos island, an area mainly dominated by Lagos Indigenes, after he returned from a trip to solicit the support of the international community for his mandate. After declaring himself president he was declared wanted and was accused of treason and arrested on the orders of military President General Sani Abacha, who sent 200 police vehicles to bring him into custody._
_4. Moshood Abiola was detained for four years, largely in solitary confinement with a Bible, Qur'an, and fourteen guards as companions._
_5. Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua is said to have predicted the annulment to Abiola and warned him against contesting._
_6. Abiola's involvement in politics started at a young age. He was 19-years-old when he joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1979._
_7. For the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Abiola's running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe. He overwhelmingly defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention._
_8. Abiola died on July 7, 1998 on the day he was due to be released from incarceration under suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of General Abacha. The official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, but Abacha's chief security officer, Al-Mustapha alleged he was beaten to death._
_9. MKO Abiola used a "Hope" campaign which President Barrack Obama also used. Many people may have paid attention to the word "Hope" being used to convey a message of possibility during Obama's 2008 election in America, but 15 years before then in Africa's most populous nation, MKO Abiola became a rallying figure for many Nigerians with his "Hope" campaign._
_10. MKO Abiola died for the June 12 mandate but he was not the only June 12 casualty as General Sani Abacha also died in mysterious circumstances on June 8, 1998._
_11. Chief MKO Abiola's memory is celebrated in Nigeria and internationally. June 12, remains a public holiday in Lagos and Ogun states and other All progressive Congress party states. MKO Abiola Stadium was named in his honour._
_12. The election was declared Nigeria's freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent's home state._
_June 12 is thus a day to remember chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as well as other democracy martyrs._
*IT'S UNIQUENESS WITH THE SUG UNIBEN SECRETARIAT (JUNE 12).*
_The Union secretariat cannot be written off history to this infamous date (June 12, 1993), because after the annulment of 1993 election, series and chains of events played out. To bring clarity to this subject matter, I have to crave your indulgence to buttress on that fact that the informations at my disposal were used to create this piece._
_The June 12 Secretariat (Building) was originally called "The Nelson Mandela Building" named after the iconic South African legend late Nelson Mandela, before the completed building was commissioned by the then President-elect himself, Bashorun MKO Abiola on 27th, October 1993 and was renamed to the June 12 Building._
_I imagined MKO Abiola never predicted that in four (4) months and 14 days after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election to October 27, 1993, he would be coming to the great University Of Benin to grace the podium by honouring the Union request to commission the first ever completed SUG building secretariat._
_The Nelson Mandela Building was later renamed to "The William Ubong Secretariat" in honor of the most epitomized SUG Secretary General, 1997 in person of late comr. William Ubong of Blessed memory._
_MKO Abiola fame waxed stronger and spread across the country. Later that same year 1993, June 12 became a common and household name and even had an effect on students of tertiary institutions amidst nationwide protests._
_June 12 became one of the most infamous date in Nigeria political history and up till this day, it's been celebrated nationwide and internationally, some even refer to it as the "true democracy day", we still savour this moment to call our Union secretariat, "June 12 Building" till date._
*HOW CAN WE FORGET THE TRAUMA OF THAT PERIOD ?*
_According to one of my sources, it was said that during the presidential debate in 1993, Abiola spoke to Nigerians and answered their questions on what his plans are and how he will help Nigeria to become great. June 12, 1993 came with a manifesto and programs of hope. That is why it is sad that we didn't experience the reign of Abiola._
_A mandate similar to what Abiola got in 1993 and the hopes and confidence that came with it are necessary ingredients for growth and development of Nigeria. I don't think anybody can rule Nigeria successfully without a mandate similar to that which Abiola obtained in 1993. The mandate cut across religion, regions and tribes. It was a universal mandate, made in Nigeria._
_It will also be impossible for anyone to lead Nigeria and make meaningful progress without a manifesto of hope and programs that are well planned and thought through._
_The June 12, 1993 election had represented for Nigeria a life-time opportunity for national unity. The elections defied religious considerations to produce a Muslim president and vice president both men having received an overwhelming mandate of all Nigerians. The annulment of the exercise unleashed unsavoury events that the country is yet to recover from till today._
_The transition programme did not only gulp an estimated N40 billion of our national resources, it also led to authoritarian resurgence, cost lives of many Nigerians including Chief MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat, Chief Alfred Rewane among others. Besides, many elder statesmen and national icons were forced into exile._
_In conclusion, It is quite unfortunate and pathetic that barely 24 years after; villains, who ought to be regretfully examining their consciences in some penitentiary still have the audacity to rewrite our history before the actors, many of whom are still alive and even leading. It speaks to the damage that has been done to Nigeria's history. Certainly, an awakening to the nation's history in the academia and in the consciousness of all Nigerians is the only answer to such revisionism._
_*BY; HON. JATTO JOHN OVIE*_
_*SUG SECRETARY GENERAL, UNIBEN.*_
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