Having banned the old breed politicians that held sway in the political arena of Nigeria from the early 1960s till the late 1980s, General Babangida, the Nigerian Head of State, tinkers with a new plan --- to give power to "New Breed Politicians" from across the nation. But already, dark clouds gather, as Northern power brokers restrategise in order to keep dictating the pace....

Author: Abraham Oshoko

With the ban on political activities lifted, multiple political groups around the nation began building different political parties. However, this was not without irregularities and illegalities, as proliferation of "Ghana Must Go" bags became rampant.

After cancelling the 1992 SDP Presidential Primary polls, with his reputation suffering massively across the nation, Babangida was now in a dilemma as to what to do. Professor Omoruyi, his political advisor, came up with a brilliant plan which Babangida considered a lifesaver & thus, he embraced it wholeheartedly.

As the presidential primaries of SDP and NRC heats up, criticisms of the Federal military government by prominent Nigerians like Enahoro, Obasanjo, Gani Fawehinmi, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, increased. By May 1993, just a month to the June 12 Presidential Election, political intrigues, coupled with undercurrent anxieties built up exponentially as Arthur Nzeribe's Association For Better Nigeria and its "Four More Years For Babangida" campaign continued to gain momentum, while an unwilling Babangida feigned ignorance, refusing blatantly to restrain Nzeribe.

Conspiracy!

As the cat and mouse drama between Babangida and MKO Abiola intensified from June 20th to June 22nd, by 23rd of June 1993, rumor that the June 12 Presidential Election will be annulled began to spread round political circles in both SDP and NRC. MKO Abiola was hindered from seeing Babangida one-on-one at the airport during his condolence visit to General Shehu Musa Yaradua; he and his entourage returned to Lagos in his private jet. In the plane, multiple sources informed MKO Abiola and his entourage that there was really a press statement purportedly annuling the election; several SDP chieftains suggested that the plane be diverted to Akure Aiport so they can all safely dispere to their houses, but MKO insisted on landing at the Lagos Airport.

"The so-called annulment statement purportedly distributed unsigned, undated and on a plain sheet of paper by Nduka Irabor, the press secretary to the military vice president, is too weak to be expected to perform the task those behind this scheming intended for it."

The meeting with Obasanjo not giving him the respite he was looking for, Bagangida continues to tinker with other plans as he attempts to manouver through the political mindfield occasioned by the annulment; by 4th of July 1993, Babangida meets with MKO Abiola. MKO maintained a hardline all through the meeting, thereby, intensifying the pressure on Babangida.

As pro-democracy groups led by Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti's Campaign For Democracy continue their protests in Lagos and all over the country, heavy military clampdown under General Sani Abacha continued, as he subtly worked towards capturing power. Meanwhile, in attempting to extricate himself from his political lockjump, IBB reached out to the leadership of the two political parties - NRC and SDP;

Babangida continued his tight-rope games of survival in office - beyond August 27th (the official expiration of his government); in a joint session of the national assembly, he publicly announced that he will be stepping aside.

This tells the high-stake maneuverings of how Chief Ernest Shonekan became the interim President of Nigeria as Babangida is forced - by public opinion and the threat of a military strike - to permanently step aside; while General Sanni Abacha made a vain attempt at capturing the levers of power by taking absolute control of the military... 

Author: Abraham Oshoko

As Shonekan began consolidating his position, Abacha continued to garner support within the army for an eventual military takeover, while Abiola returns to the country in so much pump and fanfair. General Yaradua and Co met with Abacha as he schemed for the dissolution of both SDP and NRC...

Popular opposition to Ernest Shonekan's interim national government began to grow massively. The police began an intense security clampdown on the Pro-democracy protesters.

On the 12th of June 1993, a presidential election , adjudged free and fair by an overwhelming majority of observers, took place in Nigeria. A few days later, its results were suspended; and barely a week after, Nigerians were given a new word to add to their vocabulary: "annulment". 

Author: Abraham Oshoko

On the 12th of June 1993, a presidential election adjudged free and fair by an overwhelming majority of observers, took place in Nigeria. A few days later, its results were suspended; and barely a week after, Nigerians were given a new word to add to their vocabulary: "annulment". 

Author: Abraham Oshoko