By Debo Adeniran.
The Committeee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) joins millions of Nigerians in commemorating June 12, a date that has become a powerful symbol of the people’s struggle for democracy, justice, accountability, and the sanctity of the ballot.
Long before it was officially recognized by the Federal Government as Democracy Day, June 12 had already occupied a sacred place in Nigeria’s democratic history. It represented the collective will of Nigerians expressed through the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest election ever conducted in the country.
More importantly, it symbolized the courage of ordinary citizens who resisted military dictatorship, endured persecution, and paid the ultimate price in pursuit of democratic governance.
For us in the human rights movement, June 12 is not merely a Democracy Day; it is a day of remembrance, resistance, and sacrifice.
It Is a reminder of the countless activists, journalists, labour leaders, students, and pro-democracy campaigners who suffered detention, torture, exile, and death in the struggle to actualize the mandate freely given by the Nigerian people.
While the official narrative often celebrates the election itself, it is important to remember that the entire process surrounding June 12 was characterized by grave violations of democratic principles and fundamental human rights.
The annulment of the election constituted one of the greatest assaults on the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.
It denied citizens their right to freely choose their leaders and plunged the country into years of political uncertainty and repression.
CDHR therefore believes that June 12 should be formally designated and commemorated as MKO Abiola Day. Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola became the face of the struggle because he stood firmly by the mandate freely given to him by Nigerians and ultimately paid the supreme price in defense of democracy.
The day should honour not only his memory but also the sacrifices of all those who fought for the restoration of democratic rule. We do not subscribe to attempts to rewrite history by portraying the military regime that annulled the election as deserving special democratic honours.
The June 12 election became historic because of the determination of the Nigerian people, not because of the benevolence of those who later subverted their will.
The true heroes of June 12 are the Nigerian electorate and the countless democracy activists who resisted authoritarianism.
Similarly, history continues to debate the roles played by various actors during that period, including electoral officials, political leaders, military officers, traditional rulers, and members of the political elite.
While opinions differ regarding the actions or inactions of specific individuals, it is undeniable that many influential figures failed to defend the people’s mandate with the courage and conviction demanded by that critical moment in our national history.
Nigerians must continue to study and interrogate those events honestly, but such assessments should be grounded in evidence and historical scholarship rather than labels.
ASSESSMENT OF THE TINUBU ADMINISTRATION: GAINS, CHALLENGES AND THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN DEMOCRACY.
As Nigerians commemorate June 12, it is important to objectively assess the performance of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the past three years. Democracy requires that governments be commended where progress has been made and criticized where they have fallen short.
AREAS OF PROGRESS.
The administration has recorded some notable achievements in a number of sectors.
STUDENT LOAN SCHEME.
One of the most significant interventions of the administration has been the operationalization of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has provided access to loans for thousands of students in tertiary institutions across the country.
The scheme has helped many indigent students who might otherwise have dropped out of school due to financial constraints.
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
The government has placed renewed emphasis on technical and vocational education as a means of reducing unemployment and bridging the skills gap.
Efforts have been made to strengthen technical colleges, promote skills acquisition programmes and encourage entrepreneurship among young Nigerians.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
The administration has continued work on several major infrastructure projects, including roads, rail transportation, power initiatives, and other capital projects inherited from previous administrations while initiating new ones.
Ongoing investments in transport infrastructure are intended to facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and improve economic productivity.
HEALTH SECTOR.
The government has introduced reforms aimed at revitalizing primary healthcare centres, expanding health insurance coverage and improving access to healthcare services.
There have also been efforts to attract investments into the health sector and reduce medical tourism.
FOREIGN RESERVES AND INVESTOR CONFIDENCE .
Government officials point to improvements in foreign reserve levels, reforms in the foreign exchange market, and renewed investor interest as evidence that difficult economic reforms are beginning to yield macroeconomic benefits.
These measures are intended to stabilize the economy and improve Nigeria’s attractiveness to investors.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY.
The administration deserves commendation for supporting legal and constitutional efforts aimed at strengthening local government autonomy, which, if effectively implemented, could improve grassroots development and accountability.
THE FLIP SIDE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
While these achievements deserve acknowledgment, democracy demands that equal attention be paid to areas where citizens continue to experience hardship and where government actions have generated serious concerns.
SHRINKING CIVIC SPACE AND RESTRICTIONS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTS.
One of the most disturbing developments has been allegations of restrictions on peaceful protests and the suppression of dissenting voices.
During the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024, local and international human rights organizations raised concerns about arrests of protesters, excessive use of force and violations of the right to peaceful assembly.
Some of the protesters were arrested, detained and in some cases prosecuted under serious criminal charges following the demonstrations.
HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.
There were allegations that excessive force was used against protesters. Amnesty International documented allegations that security forces used lethal force during the August 2024 protests and called for accountability and independent investigations.
HIGH COST OF LIVING.
The removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira may have been intended as economic reforms, but their immediate consequences have been severe for ordinary Nigerians.
Transport fares, food prices, school fees, rent, electricity tariffs and healthcare costs have risen sharply, placing enormous pressure on households across the country. Millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with declining living standards.
LOW PURCHASING POWER.
Despite wage adjustments in some sectors, inflation has significantly eroded the purchasing power of workers and pensioners. Many families who were previously considered middle class now struggle to meet basic needs, while poverty levels have deepened in many communities.
FOOD INSECURITY.
Food inflation remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigerians. The prices of staple foods have increased dramatically, making adequate nutrition increasingly difficult for millions of households.
We have observed that food insecurity and economic hardship are key drivers of public discontent.
PERSISTENT INSECURITY.
Although security agencies have recorded some operational successes, insecurity remains widespread. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, communal clashes and violent crimes continue to affect many parts of the country.
More troubling is the spread of insecurity into areas previously regarded as relatively peaceful. Communities across several states continue to experience attacks, abductions and displacement.
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT.
Many young Nigerians continue to face limited employment opportunities despite government interventions.
The mismatch between economic growth projections and actual job creation remains a major concern.
BRAIN DRAIN.
The continued migration of skilled professionals, particularly doctors, nurses, lecturers, engineers and other professionals, reflects a deeper crisis of confidence in the country’s economic and social conditions.
The “Japa” syndrome remains a significant national challenge.
WEAK COMPLIANCE WITH THE RULE OF LAW.
We must express our concerns regarding selective obedience to court orders, prolonged detention of suspects, and the slow pace of justice in politically sensitive matters.
A democratic government must be seen not only to exercise power but to exercise it within the limits prescribed by law.
WIDENING GAP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE.
Perhaps the greatest challenge confronting the administration is the growing perception among many citizens that the benefits of economic reforms are yet to translate into improvements in their daily lives.
Democracy can only flourish when citizens experience measurable improvements in their welfare and living conditions.
CDHR therefore calls on the government to:
- Demonstrate greater commitment to the rule of law and constitutional governance.
- Respect court decisions and fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
- Strengthen mechanisms for accountability and transparency in public administration.
- Prioritize the protection of lives and property across the federation.
- Implement people-centred economic policies that reduce poverty and improve citizens’ welfare.
- Institutionalize June 12 as MKO Abiola Day in recognition of his sacrifice and contribution to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
- Honour the foot soldiers of the June 12 struggle as the honour bestowed on some of the heroes and heroines of the struggle is not widespread.8. Preserve the true history of the June 12 struggle for future generations. CONCLUSION June 12 teaches us that democracy is not merely about elections. It is about accountability, respect for human rights, adherence to the rule of law, economic justice, protection of lives and property, and the welfare of the people. Any government that seeks to honour the legacy of June 12 must ensure that democratic freedoms are protected, citizens are heard, and the dividends of democracy are felt by all Nigerians.
The true test of democracy is not the number of years a government remains in office but the extent to which it improves the lives of the people while respecting their fundamental rights and freedoms.
As we commemorate this historic day, we honour the memory of Chief M.K.O. Abiola and all heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices made the current democratic dispensation possible.
Their struggle must not be in vain.
Debo Adeniran is The President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)
