Former presidential aide, Lauretta Onochie, has said the essence of June 12 and the sacrifices made by Nigerians in the struggle for democracy would only be meaningful if the country conducts a free, fair and credible election in 2027.
Onochie made the remarks in a Democracy Day message shared on Friday through her verified social media accounts, where she reflected on the significance of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and called for greater commitment to democratic principles.
Describing June 12 as “the day Nigeria voted and democracy was betrayed,” Onochie said the election remains one of the defining moments in the nation’s democratic history.
According to her, the June 12, 1993 presidential election was the first held after the military coup that ended the Second Republic in 1983 and remains widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history.
She said the election demonstrated the unity of Nigerians across ethnic, religious and regional lines as citizens voted in pursuit of a better future.
“For many Nigerians, June 12 is not just a date. It is a wound, a memory, a symbol of hope, sacrifice and the unfinished struggle for justice,” she stated.
