By MBACHU GODWIN, Abuja
Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party , SDP, in the forth coming 2027 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that Nigeria’s democratic journey remains incomplete 33 years after the historic June 12, 1993 election,
He noted that the country is still battling with many of the same political and social conditions that inspired the struggle for democratic rule.
In his Democracy Day address to mark June 12, Adebayo reflected on the annulled 1993 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola under the banner of Social Democratic Party, describing the election as one of Nigeria’s finest democratic moments.
According to him, the election represented hope not only for Nigeria but for the African continent at a time when several nations remained under military rule and South Africa was still under apartheid.
Adebayo said the annulment of the June 12 election amounted to a betrayal of the Nigerian people and their constitutional sovereignty.
“No one can annul the will of the people,”
He argued that the actions of the military government and its collaborators disrupted what could have been Nigeria’s defining democratic transition.
Adebayo paid tribute to the late MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, describing their sacrifices as symbols of Nigeria’s unfinished democratic struggle.
The SDP Chieftain argued that despite three decades of civilian rule, Nigeria has yet to fulfil the promises associated with June 12.
He accused the Bola Tinubu administration of promoting practices he described as inconsistent with democratic values, alleging pressure on political parties, weakened civic participation, interference by law enforcement in political affairs, and persistent flaws in the electoral process.
According to him, vote buying, political violence and questions around electoral credibility continue to undermine public trust and prevent present-day elections from reflecting the spirit of June 12.
Calling on citizens to become active defenders of democracy,
Adebayo said Nigeria’s future would depend on the willingness of its people to insist on free, fair and credible elections.
He argued that the next phase of democratic development should focus on implementing Chapter Two of Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly provisions relating to welfare, security and the wellbeing of citizens.
Adebayo maintained that democracy remains Nigeria’s best option.
“I was born and grew up under military rule. I will never wish for such a dark era to come back again,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to confront the challenges facing democratic governance rather than abandon the system altogether, insisting that the sacrifices of June 12 must not be allowed to become meaningless.
“June 12, 1993 will not be in vain,”
END
