On June 6, 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari officially designated June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, marking the anniversary of the 1993 presidential election that was widely regarded as the most credible in the nation's history. This election, featuring Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party and Mr. Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention, was annulled by then-Military President Ibrahim Babangida shortly after it concluded, leading to significant national turmoil. The decision to recognize June 12 has replaced the previous observance of May 29, which celebrated the return to civilian rule in 1999. In a notable development, Babangida publicly expressed regret for the annulment in February 2025, acknowledging the election's legitimacy and affirming Abiola's victory, thereby closing a contentious chapter in Nigeria's democratic history.
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