On the 12th of June 1993, history was rewritten in Nigeria when over 90% of the 35% of Nigerians that exercised their franchise expressed themselves in the loudest and clearest of terms that they were ready for a democratically elected leader. In that infamous election that was to be annulled by the then military government of IBB and further enforced by NEC and the succeeding junta government of Gen. Sani Abacha, the social democratic party’s candidate, Alh. Moshood Kashimowo Abiola, emerged winner.
Abiola won the elections against all odds. The political elites and actors in the militocracy never supported the candidacy of Abiola. This was accentuated when his rival during the primaries and pioneer chairman of the SDP, Babagana Kingibe, allegedly posited that a southerner could not rule Nigeria. The rest is history today. Not only did Abiola emerge the consensus candidate of the SDP ahead of Kingibe, in his generosity and magnanimity, he picked Kingibe as his running mate and won the election , never minding that in the end he would have to struggle for his mandate alone after the military annulled the election and his running mate betrayed and abandoned him, settling for an appointment in the Abacha regime that followed shortly.
Abiola was a full fledged democrat. As at 1992, he was no novice in the game having contested in the NPN primaries against the then president Shagari of the second republic in 1983. History books and persons who were privileged to have been keen observers of the players at that time opined that Abiola was larger than life, that he was not only a national figure cherished by all and sundry from the north to the south, and west to the east, he was also an international personage of repute.
His power of clairvoyance and astuteness was compelling and unparalleled; his store of wit and humor was classical; his demeanor and disposition always contagious; his tact and tack absolutely unassailable, little wonder the SDP won elections convincingly. He was then, arguably, the only nationalist alive. He won 19 states out of the 30 states then, with two third of votes in all these states and the FCT.
The platform on which Abiola ran had notable politicians having recently been formed by the annexing of 13 political parties. Its motto was sort for to bring equity and justice to the Nigerian people that were held captive not of their own volition. Abiola came at such an auspicious time when Nigeria needed a fresh start. One that would put us on track to catch up and be amongst the developed nations of the world but this was not to be. Death lurked in the corners of the dark shadows of the military.
“You cannot be a democrat and be a servant of a dictator”, he would say when several attempts were made to “settle” him against his wish and that of the Nigerian people. This however may not be said of his running mate, who was appointed minister of foreign affairs.
Abiola’s vision and, by extension, that of the SDP were crystal. His manifesto, having been critically drafted by progressives and highly intellectual and practical nationalists, covered major sectors of our national lives that should he have ruled, Nigeria would not have been in its desolate state even if myopic leaders came afterwards. That was how rich a manifesto and political will he had. He was ready for governance. But the “turn by turn” men behind the guns and camouflage would not let this happen.
Many will argue today that the botched election of 1993 and the desecration of our humanity has been an albatross and sword of Damocles hanging on our heads ever since. Those who were clogs in the wheel of progress and betrayed the trust reposed on them by Abiola and, by extension, the Nigerian people, are unfortunately still the ones running the affairs of our dear country. A country now characterized by unparalleled dystopia, paragon of shambles, economic woes, educational and agricultural malaise, political arena mottled by ethnic bigotry, religious sentiments and jingoism.
The major political parties today have arrived at crossroads but like a spoilt trailer on a highway, have blocked the progress of the country. More often than not, the Social Democratic Party has offered for services candidates with blue prints that could salvage and turn around our misfortunes with the cooperation of patriotic Nigerians but the microscopic few who are responsible for putting us here have always stood detrop. They have not only antagonize the SDP but have, on several occasions, destroyed the party’s property and attacked her candidates. Take for instance its senatorial candidate in Kogi central and gubernatorial candidate in the same state elections; these were people who had expressed the zeal to sacrifice their resources just like Abiola, to be the helping hand that will aid the other hand carry the full bucket of water to the head. They even, like Arthur Nzeribe, used the instrumentality of the judiciary and NEC, to humiliate the party in some cases, subjugating her to the back stage while Nigerians continue to wallow under their greed, incompetence and ego.
The social democratic party, however, will not give up. As the Messiah of Nigeria’s political landscape, it will continue to have faith in the Nigerian project until such a time when Nigerians once again will defy the guns and be inspired by the need to be amongst the comity of developed nations because of the abundance of her natural resources, and speak with one voice and call upon it to lead her to the promise land once again. Until then, we may have to continue going in circles as a people like the biblical Israelites who, having sinned against God, traveled for 40years in the wilderness for a journey that should, literary, not take that long.
Happy democracy day Nigerians.
Long live SDP.
Long live Kogites.
Long live Nigerians.
Dr Okeme Arome
State Secretary,
SDP, Kogi State.