Former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) has said that the Nigerian political class has ignored the “beauty” of the June 12, 1993, presidential election adjudged to be the freest and fairest in the nation’s history.
Babangida, popularly called IBB, said this in a Sunday statement ahead of the June 12 celebration. His Media Aide, Kassim Afegbua, signed the statement.
Recall that Babangida annulled the election presumably won by billionaire businessman and Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Bashorun MKO Abiola.
In 2021, the former military leader said he annulled the election in the interest of Nigeria.
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In his latest statement, he lamented that the political class has not exploited the gains of the June 12 election for the nation’s succeeding elections.
“It (June 12) was adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, yet politicians have blatantly ignored that beauty; the beauty of credible elections.
“Remember, it was an election Nigerians came out en mass to choose their leaders, irrespective of their cultural/traditional and religious affiliations,” Babangida said.
The 81-year-old said it was regrettable that political violence and incessant litigations continue to inhibit the development of Nigeria’s democracy.
The former Nigerian leader lamented increasing voter apathy, attributing it to the trust deficit between the people and their leaders.
“June 12 should naturally encourage more voters to endorse democracy and election, but the turnout during our election is gradually declining,” he added.
“Right now there is voter apathy, that’s the more reason why something must be done to ensure mass participation in elections,” he said.
He urged the political leaders to help deepen democracy by investing their time and resources into its ideals.
“Nigeria’s democracy is getting more and more older. Democracy has come to stay but despite the imperfections, we can still get our act together to correct some of the issues and continue on that trajectory.
“It is a learning curve and a work in progress. Our leaders must continue to invest their time, energy, and resources to deepen democracy and sustain democratic ideals,” Babangida said.