Ovie smith, Yenagoa
My name is Hon Kennedy Otogie
What is your view on the recent story IBB gave concerning June 12 Abiola’s victory ?
Recently, former Nigerian Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida made a significant admission in his autobiography, “A Journey in Service,” stating that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.This revelation comes 32 years after Babangida annulled the election results, citing national security concerns. The annulment led to widespread protests and political unrest in Nigeria.
Babangida expressed regrets for his decision and acknowledged that Abiola satisfied the constitutional requirements for winning by securing a majority vote and geographical spread. President Bola Tinubu commends Babangida for his courage in admitting Abiola’s victory
Well if i may look at it critically it was a deserter , and drawing us backwardly in terms of politicking if the 1993 election was accepted by the than military administration, Nigerians would have moved forward to me it was a deserter.
For Babangida to just come out now and say Abiola’s won this I believe it was medicine after dead, it doesn’t have any good meaning but bringing back old memories and sober reflection to most of us who voted at that time.
What do think would have happened?
What i have to say is that Nigeria have missed a great opportunity , of being great those in the government our leaders should be held responsible for whatever we are facing today as a country, our democracy have been backward not to compare with South Africa and the rest of the country that is fast- tracking, democracy in Nigeria is nothing to write home about.
Do you forseen any improvement in our economy?
The economy for today according to what our president is telling us is that they are working on some serious areas in the government which needs to be amended, or revive the economy, the multiple taxations is affecting the masses up to the extend we don’t really know what to do, if they are beginning to tax the citizens and we are not benefiting any thing from the government the masses will suffer.
The citizens work to generate money for themselves and government trying to extort it from them, it is from their income they survive and pay bills, drilling bore holes, medical consultation it is the citizens that does everything for themselves.
Don’t you think there’s change?
The president told us they are reforming what have they done, look at textile industries are dead what about the fertilizer at NEFON in Port Harcourt is not in existence, we need things that will reform the lives of the citizens and not those in authority, reform that will put food in on the table of the common man.
What do you think should be done?
The area of agriculture should be mechanize not by using cutlass and hole to farm, we should be serious in using modern technology, if the people rejoice because the government is playing a role of 70% by equipping the people with tractors and other equipment for farming, but that is not the case even the top powerful security is a problem.
The Niger Delta and the North already there is crisis, down to the south south and the east are still have crisis this is because there’s food shortage, our national assembly need to implement proposal for farmers to get good production.
Is the education sector doing well?
Look at our educational system is dead so where is the government? so where is the government, for me I want to encourage Nigerians to work hard and earn a living for themselves and make us grow if we look up to the government there’s no head way they are just imparting taxations on the citizens, only the elites are beneficiary to this administration.
What were the immediate consequences June 12,1993, election annulment ?
The annulment led to political crisis widespread protests and a deepening political crisis in Nigeria, threatening the country’s stability,legal challenges Abiola and his supporters sought redress through the courts but faced legal hurdles as the military government promulgated decrees to prevent judicial intervention.
Human rights violations,many activists and journalists were arrested and detained for protesting against the annulment,regime change,the crisis ultimately contributed to general Babangida stepping down on August 26, 1993, handing over power to an interim government.