Abiola Family Urges National Assembly to Enact Law Preserving June 12 Legacy
As Nigeria marks the 31st anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, the family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola has urged the National Assembly to enact a law that would institutionalize the legacy of June 12 in the country’s legal and political framework.
Speaking at a memorial event in Abuja on Wednesday, Rafiu Abiola, son of the late M.K.O. Abiola, said the time had come for the legislature to go beyond symbolic recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day by passing legislation that ensures the preservation of the values that defined the day.
According to him, such a law would not only honor the sacrifices made by Abiola and other pro-democracy advocates but would also educate future generations on the significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“June 12 is more than a date—it is a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and the unwavering will of the Nigerian people,” he said. “We appreciate the federal government’s recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day, but we believe it is time for the National Assembly to enact a law that formally preserves its meaning for future generations.”
The proposed law, according to the family, could include the establishment of civic education programs in schools, a democracy museum, and an annual M.K.O. Abiola Democracy Award to promote democratic values.
The Abiola family emphasized that without a legal framework, there is a risk that the significance of the day could diminish over time.
The June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was presumed to have been won by Chief Abiola before it was annulled by the military regime led by General Ibrahim Babangida.
The annulment led to widespread unrest, political agitation, and years of struggle for democratic restoration. Abiola, who later declared himself the rightful winner of the election, was arrested in 1994 and died in detention on July 7, 1998.
June 12 was officially declared Democracy Day in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, replacing May 29 as the official national day to celebrate Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.
Chief Abiola was also posthumously awarded Nigeria’s highest national honor, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
In the wake of the Abiola family’s appeal, several civil society organizations and political commentators have backed the call for legislation.
They argued that legal recognition would help entrench democratic values, deepen public awareness of Nigeria’s democratic struggles, and prevent historical revisionism.
Dr. Aisha Yusuf, a democracy advocate and lecturer at the University of Abuja, said the legal codification of June 12’s legacy was crucial for building institutional memory and civic consciousness in Nigeria.
Events commemorating June 12 were held across the country, with citizens paying tribute to Abiola and other pro-democracy heroes.
Many used the occasion to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic progress and the ongoing challenges facing the nation.
The Abiola family reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the legacy of M.K.O. Abiola and ensuring that June 12 continues to inspire future generations.
They maintained that enacting a law would not only be a symbolic gesture but a lasting tribute to the sacrifices that paved the way for democracy in Nigeria.
