June 12: Nigeria’s annual ritual of glorifying a sham ‘democracy’, by Olu Fasan

Vanguardngr | 18-06-2026 02:15pm |

President Muhammadu Buhari's declaration of June 12 as "Democracy Day" has been characterized as a politically motivated decision rather than a reflection of genuine democratic values. Prior to his presidency in 2015, Buhari did not publicly address the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in Nigeria's democratic history. However, in 2018, as he geared up for his re-election campaign, he chose to commemorate this date, raising questions about the sincerity of his commitment to democracy. This shift has sparked discussions regarding the authenticity of Nigeria's democratic practices and the motivations behind such symbolic gestures.

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