June 12 Declaration: An Act of Approbriation or Desperation?

Barely two weeks after the conventional commemoration of the nation's Democracy Day on the 29th of May, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari announced another historic day as Democracy Day. This has however generated a whole lots of commendations as well as knocks on Mr. President. This is not disconnected from the fact that not many saw the announcement coming. As the road to the future always starts from the past, it is pertinent we acquaint ourselves very succinctly with the rationale behind this celestial decision.

After the successful coup led by Gen. Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida which overthrew the military government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (as he then was), the government of the day took it upon itself to ensure the transfer of power back to a civilian government. This culminated into the 1993 general elections. The military government made for two-party system. With *Chief MKO Abiola* being the flag bearer of the *Social Democratic Party (SDP)* and *Alhaji Bashir Tofa* being that of the defunct *National Republican Convention (NRC)*,  the presidential election was conducted on the 12th of June, 1993 by the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under the chairmanship of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. Some declassified information had it that the then military government believed that Tofa would win the election and that it would be easier to handle Tofa if the election had to be annulled. However, the election which saw Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as the acclaimed winner with an unreported total votes of *8,341,309 (58.36%)* was eventually annulled by IBB. Irrespective of this, in a bid to protect and deliver this mandate given to him, history had it that Chief MKO Abiola kept on parading himself as the acclaimed President without a formal and official announcement of the election result which eventually led to his incarceration. History also has it that the subsequent government of *Sani Abacha* promised to acquit MKO Abiola provided the latter let go of his mandate, but Abiola declined. It was however while at the prison that MKO had his last breath. Since then, many Nigerian, particularly from the South West has had the notion that June 12 should be celebrated as Democracy Day. The spirit of nationalism shared reflected also in the way some Nigerians named their children after "Abiola". *Alhassan Ado-Dogura* (Chief Whip, NA) even went ahead to name her daughter after Abiola's wife, "Kudirat". After 25 years of this agitation, on the *6th of June 2018* specifically, President Buhari officially endorse and declared June 12 as the nation's Democracy Day.

Several groups, both regional and national, including the Nigerian Senate has praised Mr. President on this development, as this day (June 12) is even more significant as far as Nigeria's democracy is concern. In the words of *Senator Ahmad Lawan* (the Majority Leader), _" There is not history that could link May 29 to the actual democratic evolution of Nigeria that is greater than June 12"_.
This declaration on the other hand has been greeted with several knocks.  Notable among this criticisms is that of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, *Alfa Belgore* who questioned the legality and constitutionality of the declaration. *Dino Melaye* though admitted that Buhari's intention is right, he is of the opinion that his action is illegal. Citing _*Chapter 43(2) of the National Honours Act 1963*, he said, _"I am a democrat, I believe very sincerely that Chief MKO Abiola deserves even more than the president has pronounced because he was a true patriot, philanthropist and should be so decorated. But, we are governed in the country by the constitution and extant laws. No matter how beautiful a situation is, the law of the land remains the law of the the land. We should not be emotional about this. The law remains the law"_.

The declaration nonetheless is not without certain implications. The declaration, coming just about 9 months to another general election has been conceived by many, even in the South West as a mere political cake to please the Yorubas. *Ayo Adebanjo*, a leader of the Afenifere said, "Buhari shouldn't think Yorubas are fools". The question now is, if Mr. President really had the intention of this declaration in mind, why must he have to wait till few months to another general election, in which he himself is seeking re-election? Another implication is that of the declaration going against the *National Honours Act 1963* which frowns at national awards given to dead persons, save soldiers or other servicemen for their bravery. It should be noted that Buhari is to confer on Abiola, the highest title in the land, _Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR)_, with his acclaimed Vice-President, *Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe* and *Gani Fawehinmi* _Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON)._ The last but not the least is the alteration of the *Public Holidays Act* which provides for May 29th as the country's Democracy Day.

Conclusively, I am of the opinion that efforts should be geared by our leaders to ensure the fortification of our hard-earned democracy for the betterment of the citizens and not as a mere machinery. *Richard Brookhiser* once said, _*"The most important form of honesty, especially in a leader, is discerning the great course of action and forthrightly pursuing it"*_. Much more than declaring June 12 as the nation's Democracy Day, our public and private institutions, parastals and agencies should be more strengthened, free from all unhealthy rivalry and political masturbations, in order to ensure their efficiency. Government at all levels should seek first the comfortability of the citizenry, and all other things can be added.
 

The labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain. God bless Nigeria!

 

Adesanya Abiodun Samuel is a student of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University

Mugabe's Resignation: The End of Africa's Post-Colonal Dictatorship by Adesanya Abiodun Lincoln

The streets of Zimbabwe were overwhelmed by the shout of jubilation by its citizens consequent on the recent resignation of  Robert Gabriel Mugabe, her age long President who was in power for 37 years since it gained independence from the white colonialists. Mugabe, who chaimpioned the decolonization of Zimbabwe and thereby liberating the former Rhodesians from the white dominated government, was placed under house arrest with his wife, Grace Mugabe, after a 'peaceful coup' successfully plotted by the Army. The rationale behind this is not disconnected from the fact that Robert Mugabe had earlier sacked his vice-president,  Emmerson Mnangagwa, in order to give his wife a smooth sail into power towards the next year's election.

In the 1880's, the British arrived with Cecil Rhode's (from whose name 'Rhodesia' was coined) British South African Company. Hence, the beginning of colonisation in Zimbabwe. Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony in October 1923. Many decades later, following the Unilateral Declaration of Independence made by Ian Smith, a civil war ensued, with Joshua Nkoma's ZAPU and Robert Mugabe's ZANU using assistance from the government of Zambia and Mozambique. All these was to ensure that the Zimbabweans are freed from oppression and exploitation of the white.
Mugabe, influenced by the nationalist movements of other African states and dignified personalities such as Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Awolowo, Azikwe and Bello of Nigeria, Ahmed Sekou  Toure of Guinea, Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Samora Machel of Mozambique and so on, spear headed the agitation and the eventual independence of Zimbabwe. The country, prior to its recognised independence on April 18, 1980 had been known by several names; Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

However, the euphoria of Independence was  ephemeral. Mugabe, having tested power soon found himself intoxicated with it. Truth is the golden word of the 16th President of USA, Abraham Lincoln when he said,  " Nearly all men can stand adversity but if you want to test a man's character, give him power".  It was uncalled for that despite periodic elections in Zimbabwe after independence, Mugabe could still retain his incumbency. For instance, after a disputed election in 2009, he reluctantly agreed to share power with the rival Movement for Democratic Change. Also in 2013, Mugabe won another election which was described as 'rigged'. His intention to still remain in power come 2018 was greeted with great annoyance. This still did not go down well with Zimbabweans. The last straw that break the carmel's back was the sacking of his vice, Emmerson Mnangagwa which resulted in the coup on the 14th of November, 2017, led by the Army Chief,  Constantino Chiwenga.

This is a lesson to the whole world, the Africa continent and particularly, the Federal Republic of Nigeria for those who want to incessantly hold on to power. It has been said that absolute power corrupt absolutely. African politicians should go back to reflect and to learn how to leave the stage when the ovation is high. If one take a careful examination of Nigeria's politics, one will soon find out that our politicians do rotate offices admist themselves, thereby giving little or no chance for new breeds. The only difference between them and Mugabe is that while Mugabe clung to power authoritatively, Nigeria's politicians do rotate theirs in the sense that today's Chairman is tomorrow's Governor, today's Senator is tomorrow's President, today's Honourable is tomorrow's political godfather and so on.

In conclusion, it is a well known fact that whatever has a beginning must surely has an end. The socio-political challenges of Africa are enormous. It is therefore wisdom for an administration to know that it can not solve all at once. 'Do your best and leave the rest' goes the saying.

Adesanya Abiodun Lincoln

25-11-2017