Much Ado about June 12!

The month was June. The date was 12. The year was 1993. Nigerians came out in the millions to cast their votes for their candidates. Every body was happy and were waiting eagerly for the results to be annouced. Alas! The election was ANNULLED! Just like that. The results of the poll were not made public. No reasons were given. The election was just annuled.

The aftermath of that annulment was terrible. There were riots all over the Country. Of course many lives were lost in the process.

Fifteen years after the annulment of the Presidential election, which was described as the freest and fairest election in the history of Nigeria Democracy, Nigerians are now hearing all sorts of declarations/testimonies/confessions with respect to June 12 1993.

First, the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) Chairman, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu recently launched a book titled "Laying the Foundation for Nigeria's Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993." In his book Prof. Nwosu revealed that the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola actually won the Presidential elections in 1993. (As if Nigerians did not know!). The votes casted, according to Nwosu, was 8,323,3005 for Chief Moshood Abiola while the closest rival, Alhaji Ottman Bashir Tofa polled 6,073,612 votes.

Much as the results have now been made public the question is WHY DID WE HAVE TO WAIT 15 YEARS to get the results "published."

Nigerians expected the book to reveal the person or persons responsible for the annulment, but Nwosu refused to mention any names. Smart guy! Rather, the former NEC Chairman was singing praises in favour of the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida. Now that was a surprise. Nwosu practically absolved IBB of any blame! Hmmmmmm!

Anyway, in a recent development, IBB has said he was responsible for the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Elections. He said he annuled the elections! Gbam!