- The election held on June 12, 1993, was adjudged the most peaceful and fair election in Nigeria’s history.
- It was the first election after the coup that toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983.
- The election adopted the Option A4, which involved voters queuing behind their preferred candidate.
- Two main parties participated in the June 12 election. They were the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention.
- While Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola flew the flag of the SDP, Bashir Tofa was the candidate of the NRC.
- The result of the election was never officially announced. The election was annulled by the then Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida.
- MKO was presumed the winner of the election.
- On June 10, 1994, MKO declared himself president at Epetedo, Lagos Island.
- He was arrested and charged with treason.
- On July 7, 1998, Chief Abiola died as he was about to be released from incarceration.
- Abiola’s wife, Kudirat was assassinated on June 6, 1996, in Lagos.
- June 12, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola and declared June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
The Punch
