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Showing posts with the label June 12: A Democracy Day Shrouded in Discontent and Protest

June 12: A Democracy Day Shrouded in Discontent and Protest

 June 12: A Democracy Day Shrouded in Discontent and Protest By Daniel Okonkwo Today, June 12, 2025, was meant to be a national celebration marking the 26th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria. Instead, it has unfolded as a solemn reminder of unfulfilled promises, deepening hardship, and growing disenchantment among citizens. This year’s Democracy Day has been eclipsed not by fanfare and national pride but by cancellations, public outrage, and coordinated protests across the country. The historical significance of June 12 lies in its roots. It commemorates the annulled 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola. In 2018, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari officially declared June 12 as Democracy Day, replacing the previously celebrated May 29. The move aimed to recognize the democratic sacrifice of Abiola and the broader struggle for civil rule in a country once ...