Nigeria Commemorates MKO Abiola on 32nd Anniversary of 1993 Election Annulment, Marking Democracy Day

 

 

MKO Abiola is garnering widespread attention in Nigeria as today, June 12, 2025, marks the 32nd anniversary of the annulment of the 1993 presidential election in which he was a candidate. This date, also celebrated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, commemorates the historic election that symbolized a potential transition to civilian rule, orchestrated by then-military ruler Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. The annulment of the election remains a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political history, sparking enduring conversations about democracy and justice.

Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who ran for president in 1993 under the Social Democratic Party, saw his apparent victory nullified by Babangida’s military regime. Abiola’s subsequent attempt to claim his mandate led to his detention, where he tragically passed away in 1998. In recognition of his sacrifice and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle, President Muhammadu Buhari posthumously awarded Abiola the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on June 6, 2018—an honor typically reserved for heads of state. Additionally, Nigeria’s Democracy Day was officially shifted from May 29 to June 12 to honor Abiola’s legacy, cementing his enduring influence on the nation’s democratic journey.

See also: (In Nigeria) The Tragic End of Dadiyata: A Six-Year Mystery Unraveled