By Yinka Olatunbosun.Ph.D
June 12 is etched in Nigerian history as a powerful symbol of democratic resistance, popular will, and the people’s right to choose their leaders. It commemorates the annulled 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola — an election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. It is also a day that pays tribute to the countless Nigerians who suffered, protested, and died in the fight for democracy. It was a moment where Nigerians, regardless of tribe, region, or religion, voted in unison for a leader who promised hope, empowerment, and dignity. The annulment of that election was met with national outrage, leading to the fall of military dictatorship and the eventual return to civilian rule in 1999. The significance of June 12 lies in its representation of electoral transparency, social justice and equity, national unity across ethnic and religious linesYet, decades later, under the presidency of Bola Ahmed Tinubu — a key figure in the June 12 pro-democracy struggle — many Nigerians are questioning whether the ideals of that historic day have been betrayed. Bola Tinubu was one of the most vocal opponents of that annulment. As a member of NADECO and a self-exiled activist, he played a prominent role in calling for a return to democracy. This article explores how the policies and practices of Tinubu’s administration stand in contrast to the spirit of June 12.Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rise from exile to Lagos State governor and eventually to Nigeria’s president in 2023 is often viewed as a political triumph rooted in the June 12 struggle. However, his administration’s policies and leadership style have drawn sharp criticism, with many arguing that he has strayed from the foundational ideals he once fought for.The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira have caused skyrocketing inflation, food insecurity, and mass suffering. While these reforms were meant to stabilize the economy, they were implemented without adequate safety nets, plunging millions into deeper poverty. This contradicts MKO Abiola’s vision of a welfare-oriented state where the people’s prosperity was central.June 12 was about resistance to tyranny and the protection of civil liberties. However, under Tinubu’s administration, critics and activists have faced increasing clampdowns. Peaceful protests are often met with force, and freedom of the press and expression are under threat — a worrying throwback to the military era.The 2023 elections that brought Tinubu to power were marred by allegations of voter suppression, electoral fraud, and institutional compromise. The electoral process fell short of the transparency and credibility that June 12 represents. Many view this as a betrayal of the very foundation that once legitimized Tinubu’s democratic activism.Appointments under Tinubu have raised concerns about favoritism, recycling of political allies, and lack of meritocracy. This undermines the democratic principle of inclusive governance and fuels public disillusionment with the political system.The government’s response to the cries of the masses — from organized labor to students and market women — has often been dismissive or inadequate. The social contract is weakening, and with it, the belief that democracy works for the people. This stands in sharp contrast to the populist spirit of June 12.It is not enough for June 12 to be a public holiday or to be mentioned in speeches. The day is a moral compass, a call to leaders to prioritize the people’s welfare, dignity, and democratic rights. MKO Abiola stood for free education, healthcare, job creation, and national unity. The current administration’s policies, however, have been seen as increasing hardship, division, and disenfranchisement.President Tinubu, as a product of the June 12 movement, bears a heavier responsibility — not just to remember the day, but to embody its principles in governance. Failing to do so reduces June 12 to mere rhetoric and political expediency.June 12 is not just a date in Nigeria’s political calendar — it is a mirror reflecting the soul of the nation’s democratic journey. Under President Bola Tinubu, who was once a torchbearer of that struggle, many Nigerians now see a widening gap between democratic promises and lived realities.The ill effects of his administration — from economic pain to weakened democratic institutions — represent a stark contradiction to the ideals of June 12. For democracy to truly thrive, Tinubu must move beyond symbolism and address the systemic failures that continue to hurt the very people June 12 was meant to empower.Dr. Yinka Olatunbosun was the Labour Party Candidate in Ife East Local Government for the Osun State House of Assembly during the last general election in 2023.
