Over one and a half a decade ago, precisely on June 12, 1993, the freest and fairest election in the annals of this nation and probably in the history of Africa was annulled by the military Junta of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, aka IBB. Up till this day, IBB hasn’t been able to give Nigerians cogent reasons for that annulment.

As we all know, following the annulment, a historic struggle was launched by courageous Nigerians across the nation and all over the world to actualise the overwhelming mandate of the Nigerian people. For six good years, these brave Nigerians carried the epic battle across the nation; daring their age-old oppressors.

Unfortunately however, the central personality of that struggle, Bashorun MKO Abiola died in strange circumstances in the custody of the federal military government. His valiant wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was equally cut down prematurely in the course of her efforts to actualise the people’s mandate. Countless others, including Alfred Rewane lost their lives in the course of the struggle. So many of these people will never make the headlines and their names will never appear in “Who is who”, but when years have rolled by and when the blazing light of truth is focused on this generation, people will know and the children of the next generation will be taught that we have a better country and a finer people because these great Nigerians were willing to suffer and die for a righteous course.

Somehow, the democratic robbers and usurpers of our times stole the victory of that struggle and hijacked political power at the return to democratic rule. Sadly, the major beneficiary of the struggle who didn’t even
participate in the struggle, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo plunged Nigeria into greater woes and took the nation back 50 years after his tenure in 2007. He presided over the worst elections in the history of Nigeria-An election which has rightly been dubbed a sham. Not only that, he refused to accord respect and honour to these humble and beautiful Nigerians who bled and died for the liberation of Nigeria from the shackles of slavery and military dictatorship. He refused to name June 12, Democracy day, the day in which
Nigerians were deprived of what they truly deserve and which precipitated the struggle that eventually led to his presidency in 1999, neither did he or his Administration as much as gave honour to the symbol of that struggle, Chief MKO Abiola; this is one of the worst injustices witnessed in this age. Oh! How we wish the Obasanjo Administration had done something to remember these men and women for their sublime courage and their willingness to suffer and die for the greater good of all Nigerians! One day, Nigeria will
recognise its true heroes.

As we once again remember June 12 and what it symbolises, we call on the Yar Adua Administration to muster the courage and do the needful by honouring these heroes of Democracy. Let Mr. President for once dare to do the right thing and write his name and that of his Administration in the history books
so that when the roll call of Modern Nigeria is made, his name will be embossed in gold.

But beyond this, we call on the Yar Adua Administration to commit to genuine electoral reforms. Let the president walk the talk and prove his sincerity on his rule of law principle by taking conscientious steps to effect in its entirety the recommendations of the Justice Uwais (Rtd) led Electoral Reform Committee. Mr. President must stop mouthing pious irrelevancies and sanctimonious trivialities on his much touted Seven-point Agenda. Now is the time for him to honour his word and fulfill his campaign promises. And now
is the time to follow through on the promises of democracy. President Yar Adua has the wonderful opportunity to make a difference and break away from the bad precedents of things as they are, and things as they have always been of all of his predecessors.

More importantly, we call on Nigerians not to give up on this nation; because apparently, so many had given up as can be seen from the apathetic disposure of the vast majority of the citizenry. Nigerians must muster the
will and not resign to fate. We cannot afford to give up because we have no other country to call our own, neither will any other people on planet earth come to build this nation for us. Nigeria can only be built by Nigerians. We must keep hope alive, and continue to work relentlessly for the life and health of our land, for privilege groups seldom give up their privileges voluntarily; freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. So let us keep the faith, and continue, believing somehow, that one day, in the not too distant future, things will turn out for the common good. And when that day comes, Nigerians will have cause to shout for joy and say: “We have overcome.”

May God bless and perfect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

*Comrade Eneruvie Enakoko*

*Chairman, CLO, Lagos*