June 12: How IBB, Abacha, Buhari, Others Betrayed MKO Abiola, Truncated Nigeria's Democracy | Sahara Reporters The events of that day had villains, some of who today parade as democrats, writing open letters, representing the country at... READ MORE:
Twenty seven years has passed since the election deemed Nigeria's most credible to date was truncated.
Now commemorated as Nigeria's"Democracy Day, the events of that day had villains, some of who today parade as democrats, writing open letters, representing the country at international events, clinching appointments and sitting in the inner circle of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration without openly apologising for their role in the June 12 saga.Infamously dubbed the"evil genius", Babangida was Nigeria's military head of state from 1985 to1993.
On August 26, 1993, Babangida announced his exit by saying he would"step aside" thus adding a new word to our ever increasing repertoire of political lexicons. By that singular action, he ushered in the Interim National Government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan. He said in an interview, “There were so many cases and I cannot remember all the cases off-hand. There was the case against MKO Abiola and it was before one of my judges; she was Igbo but I can’t remember her name. She started the case, then fell sick and was flown out of the country for treatment.
When there was turmoil resulting from the events of June 12, Kingibe jumped ship to serve as Foreign Minister to military dictator, General Sani Abacha, the same man that arrested and jailed Abiola with whom he ran on the platform of SDP. Despite his role in the detention of MKO Abiola, President Buhari has conferred Kingibe with the honour of GCON solely for being Abiola's running mate, a medal reserved only for Vice Presidents.Justice Bassey Ikpeme nicknamed the 'midnight judge' was approached by a bogus group led by Arthur Nzeribe, Association for Better Nigeria, to institute an ex parte motion halting the conduct of the elections.
Abacha immediately ordered his arrest for treason and went on to detain him in solitary confinement for five years until he died. How he died is still the subject of controversy but men in Abacha's close circle alleged that MKO was poisoned. Mark befriended Olusegun Obasanjo, who had similar intentions. Obasanjo became close with Mark as he worked underground with the military to ensure that Abiola did not take over power. IBB however, did not let Obasanjo head the interim government as planned because he reportedly did not trust Obasanjo.Post-June 12, a Nigerian Lawyer and an Egba man like Abiola was brought to placate the aggrieved south-western bloc as head of the illegitimate Interim National Government.
Anenih was later quoted to have declared that the day the Interim National Government was signed was the happiest day of his life. MKO Abiola regretted doing the bidding of Yar'Adua to ensure the victory of Anenih over Chief Sergeant Awuse. He said Anenih did not consult him before"He negotiated away our victory".
After learning of the plot, Campaign for Democracy, a pro-democracy outfit then led by Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, headed for the court to restrain the ABN from its coup.
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