The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2027 general elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has declared that Nigeria’s democratic journey remains incomplete 33 years after the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, saying the country is still grappling with many of the political and social challenges that inspired the struggle for democratic governance.
In a Democracy Day message commemorating June 12, Adebayo reflected on the annulled presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, describing it as one of the most credible and inspiring elections in Nigeria’s history.
According to him, the election symbolised hope not only for Nigeria but for the entire African continent at a time when many countries were still under military rule and South Africa was battling apartheid.
Adebayo said the annulment of the election was a betrayal of the Nigerian people and an affront to their constitutional sovereignty.
“No one can annul the will of the people,” he said, adding that the actions of the military government and its collaborators disrupted what could have been Nigeria’s defining democratic transition.
The SDP chieftain paid tribute to MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, whose sacrifices, he said, remain enduring symbols of Nigeria’s unfinished democratic struggle, commending former President Muhammadu Buhari for officially recognising June 12 as Democracy Day and honoured the thousands of Nigerians who lost their lives in the fight to restore democratic rule.
Despite more than three decades of civilian governance, Adebayo argued that Nigeria has yet to realise the aspirations embodied by the June 12 movement.
Adebayo called on Nigerians to become active defenders of democracy, stressing that the country’s future depends on citizens’ commitment to demanding free, fair and credible elections.
The former presidential candidate also envisioned a government elected through a transparent and credible process and led by public officials committed to using national resources for the benefit of all Nigerians while strengthening the country’s leadership role across Africa.
While expressing concern over rising poverty, insecurity and declining public confidence in governance, Adebayo maintained that democracy remains Nigeria’s best option.
“I was born and grew up under military rule. I will never wish for such a dark era to come back again,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to confront the challenges facing democratic governance rather than abandon the system, insisting that the sacrifices made in the struggle for June 12 must not be allowed to become meaningless.
“June 12, 1993 will not be in vain,” Adebayo declared.
