Retired General Ibrahim Babangida, a former military president of Nigeria, has emphasized the importance of recognizing the significance of the 12 June 1993 presidential election in deepening democracy in the country.
Despite being widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria's history, politicians have failed to capitalize on its positive aspects.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna, Mr. Babangida expressed his concerns about the current state of Nigerian democracy and its progression over the years. While acknowledging some progress, he highlighted several pressing issues that have hindered the growth of transparent elections and democracy in the country.
The former president's spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, conveyed Babangida's views, stating that Nigeria's political landscape has been plagued by thuggery, excessive litigation, and a failure to address the fundamental aspects of credible elections. Furthermore, Babangida lamented the growing trend of voter apathy, which he attributed to the lack of trust resulting from insincerity among leaders.
Rather than diminishing the significance of the June 12 election, Babangida argued that it should serve as a catalyst to encourage greater participation and endorsement of democracy. However, he expressed concern over the declining voter turnout in recent elections and emphasized the need for action to ensure widespread engagement in the electoral process.
While acknowledging the progress made in Nigeria's democracy, Babangida urged political leaders to prioritize further improvements. He viewed the country's democracy as a continuous learning experience and stressed the importance of investing time, energy, and resources in order to deepen democratic ideals and address existing imperfections.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Military Council, under Babangida's leadership, annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country's history.
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