From Idu Jude, Abuja
Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, a Chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) has said that despite public confession made by the former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the annulment of the June 12 presidential election, won by Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the annulment remains a setback to the nation’s democracy and economic transformation.
Dr. Okundaye, who is also the National Coordinator of the Liberal Progressive and Patriotic Members Congress (LPPMC), spoke in an exclusive chat with Daily Sun, where he also highlighted some of these self-inflicted challenges that had hindered the country’s politics and economic development for the past 32 years.
What is your take on the recent public apology by IBB over the annulment of the June 12 election?
The June 12 election was a watershed in Nigeria’s history. For the first time, Nigerians experienced an election that was widely accepted as free, fair, and credible. The annulment robbed the nation of the opportunity to build on this foundation. Had the election been allowed to stand, Nigeria would have established a tradition of credible elections, reducing the prevalence of rigging and electoral malpractice that has since become endemic.
The annulment deepened regional and ethnic divisions in Nigeria. Before June 12, there was a sense of unity and hope as Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines voted overwhelmingly for Chief MKO Abiola, a Yoruba Muslim from the South, and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, a Muslim from the North. The annulment shattered this unity and fuelled suspicions of ethnic and regional bias in the distribution of political power.
The June 12 election demonstrated that Nigerians could rise above religious divides. Both Christians and Muslims voted for the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Abiola and Kingibe without any reservations or suspicions of an Islamisation agenda. The annulment, however, politicised religion and sowed seeds of distrust between the two major faiths in Nigeria, a division that continues to plague our politics today.
What is the implication of the annulment on power of incumbency?
The annulment laid the foundation for the abuse of incumbency power in Nigeria. It sent a dangerous message that those in power could manipulate the democratic process to suit their interests. This culture of impunity has persisted, with successive leaders exploiting their positions to undermine democratic institutions and perpetuate their hold on power. The annulment also marked the beginning of the erosion of the independence of the Electoral Commission as it ought to be. Since then, the Electoral Commission has often been perceived as a tool of the ruling party rather than an impartial arbiter of the electoral process. This has significantly undermined public trust in the electoral system.
Could that also be responsible for the inability of the voting masses to trust the political class any more?
The annulment eroded trust between the political class and the Nigerian people. It reinforced the perception that politicians and military leaders would stop at nothing to retain power, even if it meant betraying the will of the people. This culture of betrayal and manipulation has continued to define Nigerian politics. Had the June 12 election been upheld, Nigeria would today be celebrating 32 years of uninterrupted democracy. Instead, we have struggled to build a stable democratic culture, with repeated setbacks and a lack of transparency in our democratic experience. This has hindered our ability to learn from past mistakes and refine our democratic processes.
The political instability that followed the annulment had severe economic consequences. Investors lost confidence in Nigeria, and the nation’s economy suffered. Had the election been upheld, Nigeria could have focused on economic development and growth, rather than grappling with the fallout of political crises.
Nigeria, often referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa,’ missed a golden opportunity to solidify its position as a democratic leader on the continent. A successful transition to democracy in 1993 would have set a powerful example for other African nations and reinforced Nigeria’s role as a beacon of hope and progress in the region.
Regardless, we call on all Nigerians to join us in this struggle for a nation that upholds the principles of democracy, justice, and unity. Together, we can overcome the challenges of the past and build a Nigeria that truly reflects our shared vision of freedom, progress, and patriotism.