Democracy Day: 25 Years Of Oppression And Repression, By Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed

June 12 is one of the most memorable days that will never be erased from the history of Nigeria. The struggle that gave birth to democracy in Nigeria was a result of street demonstrations where thousands of Nigerians from all walks of life set aside ethnic, religious, class, and regional affiliations to elect their president, hoping to end several years of military dictatorship.

Since the advent of democracy in Nigeria, people have been subjected to modern-day slavery. Nigerians have been oppressed and repressed by those who were elected to serve the interests of the people.

June 12 holds significant relevance in Nigerian political history, marking the first instance when Nigerians experienced their freest and fairest election in the nation’s democratic history.

The presidential election was held on that day, which was won by the late philanthropist Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was unfortunately annulled by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida (retired) for unjustifiable reasons.

The nation was thrown into turmoil and nearly collapsed as Nigerians all over the country took to the streets to protest against the injustice and abuse of power by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida, who deliberately annulled the June 12 presidential election.

The freedom of speech and expression has been censored by power-drunk politicians who don’t want to be criticized. Thousands of Nigerians have been killed, and many have been sent to jail for criticizing the bad leaders who never fought for the democracy they are using to torment people.

After 25 years of sorrow and tears, Nigerians are still drowning in poverty and hunger. Insecurity has taken over the country, as terrorists have raised their flag and established their own sovereignty.

Thousands of innocent people have been killed in a pool of blood. Fathers experience the horror of seeing their wives and daughters raped and then killed by terrorists who have hijacked the country’s security architecture.

President Bola Tinubu, who pretends to follow Abiola’s legacy, has been employing all available means to silence Nigerians. He uses security agencies to monitor and crackdown on any groups or individuals that criticize his anti-people policies or expose his government’s atrocities to the public.

The hallmarks of the June 12 struggles include the eradication of poverty and the establishment of equity and justice. However, Tinubu, who should have championed the cause, has instead created more poverty. In today’s APC government, many big companies have folded up as a result of his anti-people policies. Hundreds of people have lost their jobs within Tinubu’s first year in office.

Democracy in Nigeria was achieved with the efforts of people like Omoyele Sowore and others who shared similar ideals, playing a significant role in the June 12 struggle. Their primary goal is to build a nation characterized by industriousness and peace, where all Nigerians can enjoy the dividends of democracy.

After 25 years of democracy, the Tinubu government continues to employ military-style governance to suppress individuals who attempt to voice their opinions or critique his anti-people policies. Journalists are particularly targeted in the Tinubu administration today.

Since Tinubu assumed office, more than 30 journalists have been abducted and detained for exposing corruption within a year of his taking over from the General Muhammadu Buhari government. This shows that Tinubu is still operating within a military-style system of government.

There is no doubt that Nigeria has become a capital of poverty. Many people, living hand to mouth, have been forced into becoming street beggars due to the high cost of living. Numerous families have broken apart because fathers have failed in their responsibilities. Meanwhile, hundreds of young girls are trafficked abroad for prostitution because their parents have failed as guardians to fulfill their duties.

Civil servants who have served the country for 35 years have nothing to write home about, while politicians who served their constituents for only four years have siphoned billions, built big mansions in all strategic locations, bought houses abroad, and relocated their families there. Meanwhile, the children of ordinary citizens die in poverty as a result of bad leadership.

Our educational and health systems have been in shambles. Thousands of schools across the country are dilapidated, and students are learning under harsh and unstable conditions. Many government hospitals have been shut down due to shortages of staff, while some lack medicines and modern-day technology.

Patients died in miserable conditions because they don’t have access to healthcare services, while thousands of students have dropped out of school because their parents can’t afford the burgeoning charges anymore. Instead of the government subsidizing education, they increased it by 200%, ensuring that the children of poor people will not wake up one day to contest for the highest position in the country or demand their rights.

To actualize the struggle of June 12, Nigerians must rise up and speak out with a unified voice by taking to the streets across the state and demanding constitutional amendments that ensure all regions have input and their interests are well protected.

June 12 should serve as a continuous reminder to Nigerians of the importance of seeking justice in all facets of life, as it is crucial for peace and progress.