- Safiu Kehinde
Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential Election Candidate, Peter Obi, has claimed that nothing changed in Nigeria’s democratic practice since the infamous annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election by former Military Head of States, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Obi held that the country is far worse than it was during Babangida’s era as electoral outcome still don’t reflect Nigerians wish.
The former Anambra state governor made the claim in a post on his X handle after his attendance at Babangida’s book launching event held on Thursday at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Reflecting on his two takeaways from the keynote address delivered by former Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and Babangida’s comment on the 1993 election, Obi cited Akufo-Addo’s quotation in French, “Rien n’a changé” meaning “Nothing much has changed.”
He said when IBB left office in 1992, countries like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Ghana were all in the low Human Development Index (HDI) category—just like Nigeria.
While the countries, according to him has advanced to High HDI levels, Nigeria remained in low HDI level.
He also claimed that Ghana practices the truest form of democracy as against Nigeria.
“The 1st is the keynote Speaker’s notable quotation in French, “Rien n’a changé” meaning “Nothing much has changed.” In the case of Nigeria, we are worse off than we were during IBB’s era. Using our contemporary peers as a benchmark, when IBB left office in 1992, countries like Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, and Ghana were all in the low Human Development Index (HDI) category—just like Nigeria. Today, however, these nations have advanced to medium and high HDI levels, while Nigeria remains in the low HDI category, having either stagnated or declined.
“The Keynote speaker’s comment that Ghana has remained a truly democratic country for the past 30 years, with leadership transitions that reflect the genuine votes of the people. Unlike Nigeria, where electoral outcomes often fail to reflect the people’s will, Ghana has witnessed instances where ruling party candidates conceded defeat, respecting democracy in its truest form.” Obi said.
On Babangida’s 1993 election comment where he finally admitted that the late Nigerian businessman and politician, Moshood Abiola, won the election, Peter Obi described the admittance as a step towards national healing and unity.
“Lastly of the most profound moments of the event was IBB’s admission that Chief MKO Abiola won the June 12 election. This acknowledgement is a step toward national healing, unity and progress of our nation.
“I hope that one day, other key players in Nigeria’s democracy will find the courage to recognize the true winners of past elections, allowing our nation to tell its story with honesty and reflection.” he said.
Prior to this, Obi lauded Babangida’s leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s economy in his remark on the launched autobiography of the former Military Head of States titled “A Journey in Service”.
“IBB’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy and his strong support for entrepreneurship and private sector growth remain immeasurable.
“Under his leadership, Nigeria witnessed substantial growth, particularly in the financial sector. He played a key role in fostering a united and equitable Nigeria, and economic landscape, ensuring policies that strengthened national cohesion and economic development.
“Documenting such experiences is a welcome development, as it allows us to learn from those who have served and left a lasting impact on the nation. I look forward to reading this book, which undoubtedly holds valuable lessons.
“As someone committed to continuous learning, I will always align myself with knowledge drawn from documented experiences and historical records as well as contributing to the legacy library.” He said