Opinion
The Spirit of June 12, Nigeria’s Development And The 2027 Elections
By Onorakpene Eviosekwofa
Today, June 12, 2025, 26 years of uninterrupted democratic government, represents another milestone in Nigeria’s march to democratic greatness.
Even in the midst of the cacophony of dissenting voices and opinions, we must remind ourselves that Nigerians are hungry, no thanks to the economic policies of President Tinubu on the removal of fuel subsidy and it’s attendance implications of soaring cost of food, inflation, high cost of petrol, unemployment and excruciating poverty! Today, hunger has destroyed the vestiges of ethnic and tribal politics, to the extent that Nigerians care less on where the 2027 president should come from – North, South, East or West – the average Nigerian does not need much – what they need is food at affordable prices, regular power supply at a reasonable tariff, not the Band A, B or C tariffs!
Today, President Tinubu remains the highest benefactor of the June 12 struggle – Tinubu was elected senator in 1993. In 1999, Tinubu was elected governor of Lagos state; his wife, Remi Tinubu, was also an elected senator. Sadly, since 1999 to 2025, the custodians of power have largely betrayed the spirit of June 12.
Self-styled ‘progressives’ who fought for democracy are now pulling it down – they are intolerant of opposing opinions. President Tinubu and so-called democrats who arrogantly arrogate to themselves the title of ‘democratic progressives’, gleefully celebrated General Ibrahim Babangida, a man who ‘killed’ Democracy by the annulment of Nigeria’s most freest, credible election held on June 12, 1993.
Prominent, former agitators who participated in the restoration of MKO Abiola’s June 12, 1993 presidential election mandate who are now in positions of authority have failed to show a genuine commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
As I write this piece, the Lekki Toll Gate, Freedom Park, Alausa, Ikeja, and other public places have been taken over by policemen who have taken over those spaces since last night’s midnight! Journalists are still being harassed, intimidated and arrested! These are signs that those in power are intolerant of opposing views and protests – protest is an integral part of democracy!
As we celebrate the symbolic spirit of June 12, I call on President Tinubu to send a Bill to the National Assembly – the bill should vest the authority to appoint the chairman of INEC on the national assembly. As it is said, ‘he who pays the piper, dictates the tune’, – this will be a deliberate effort to ensure, free, credible and fair elections, especially as we approach the 2027 general elections.
I call on President Tinubu to reduce the huge number of his aides, ministers, official luxury cars and the many jets in the presidential fleet. With the excruciating poverty that currently ravages our people, he must cut down on the ostentatious lifestyles of his ministers and the presidency.
Today, President Tinubu will present his State of the Nation address to a joint session of the National Assembly. With much doubt, Nigerians expect the president to tinker with the critical policy that brought excruciating poverty on them – the removal of fuel subsidy. The President needs not be reminded that the primary duty of government is the provision of policies that will assuage the economic hardship of its citizens. Nigerians are still waiting for the promises of President Tinubu to provide regular electricity supply at affordable tariff rate, food at affordable prices, drastic reduction in the current price of petrol and the provision of employment, etcetera.
God bless Nigeria.