*By Our Correspondent*
The memory of June 12 1993 is still causing problems in Nigeria. This is not a memory it is something that is still affecting the country today. Thirty years have passed since the election that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was believed to have won but the election was cancelled. Nigeria is still dealing with the issues that were left unresolved from that day. These issues include the importance of peoples votes the integrity of the election process and the consequences of taking power by force.
Today the same problems are still Nigeria but in different ways. We can see this in the way election results are being manipulated the lack of independence in the judiciary and the growing feeling among citizens that their votes do not count. From disputed governorship elections to the disregard for the constitution the effects of June 12 are still evident. This is not about the heroism that was later celebrated. About the fact that those in power were able to get away with it.
It is ironic that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was a figure in the fight for democracy back then is now in charge of a government that is being accused of interfering with elections and hurting the economy. The spirit of June 12 is asking a question: if the people who were supposed to protect democracy are now the ones hurting it who will save Nigeria from itself?
People who study politics are warning that Nigeria is heading for another crisis. Many people are not interested in voting there are security problems and young people are getting desperate. This suggests that the promise of June 12 which was that the peoples voice is the important is still not being fulfilled. In fact some people argue that the current leaders have learned the lessons from history. They think that power can be taken by any means and then justified by time and propaganda.
If Nigeria does not deal with the issues of June 12 in an meaningful way the country will continue to be haunted by its past. This means making changes to the system ensuring that elections are fair and holding people accountable, for their actions. It is not enough to make speeches and celebrate holidays. Long as the peoples will can be ignored without any consequences June 12 will continue to be a problem.. Nigeria will never be able to move on.
