Nigerians in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America, elected officials, community leaders and their friends gathered together at the Karl Road branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library on Monday, June 12, 2023, to mark the inaugural International June 12 Nigeria Democracy Day lecture, with all agreeing that democracy provides the best form of government, but definitely with room for growth.

The event was organised by the New Americans Magazine, and the New American Community Information Center, in collaboration with the National Association of Political Correspondents, NAPOC.

Ohio State Representative Ismail Mohamed (D-3rd District) who described Nigeria as a “country of great people” said “the worse democracy is better than a military government.”

“Nigeria is obviously one of the largest economies but also the largest population in Africa. It is certainly a country of people that are very great and proud of their people. It is a country that can improve its democracy and economy. There has been a lot of progress that different communities have made in democracy over time. Things might get worse but there is always room for growth. Always be optimistic.”

While welcoming participants to the event, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of the New Americans magazine, Deba Uwadiae gave a brief history of the events that led to the June 12, 1993, event including the role played by political journalists of the time, most of whom were members of the National Association of Political Correspondents, NAPOC.

“For those who may not know the significance of June 12 to Nigeria and Nigerians, June 12 Nigeria Democracy Day is a nationally approved Holiday in Nigeria to commemorate June 12, 1993, General Election regarded as the freest election in Nigeria,” said Deba Uwadiae.

“The election was believed to have been won by Bashorun MKO Abiola, the Presidential Candidate of the then Social Democratic Party, SDP. He defeated the Presidential Candidate of the National Republican Convention, NRC Bashir Tofa.

“But before the announcement of the result, the election was annulled by the military government of then Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida. Certain powerful people did not want Bashorun MKO Abiola to become President of Nigeria.”

He disclosed that “the political correspondents of that era, under the aegis of National Association of Political Correspondents, NAPOC published a book in 2022 titled “Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Reporters’ Account” where 29 journalists documented their accounts of what they witnessed while reporting that era.”

“The New American magazine and the New American Community Information Center will be collaborating with the National Association of Political Correspondents to begin the annual Interanimation June 12 Lecture here in Columbus, Ohio.”

In conclusion Deba Uwadiae said “we look forward to sharing Nigeria’s experience in the aborted 3rd Republic with the international community and hope to learn as well on how we can ensure that the Nigeria’s 4th Republic grows to become an acceptable democratic standard worthy of emulation.”

The first speaker at the June 12 Democracy Day lecture and former and pioneer News Editor of CORE TV and former Business Desk Editor of Independent Newspaper, Daniel Alo said “June 12 remains a defining moment in the history of Nigeria. It was when people realised that the worst democratic government is better than the best military rule. It was what gave the people the idea that military government remained illegal and that the people have the right to determine who governs them, that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and that we owe it to the struggle of June 12, 1993.”

Another witness of June 12, 1993, and a student at the Lagos State University, Law Department at the time, Taiwo Akinlami described the involvement of students in protesting the annulment of June 12, 1993, General Elections.

“Students, and protesters were arrested and beaten by the Department of Military Intelligent, DMI for participating in the protests.”

“The Nigerian people continued, and it took another six years for democracy to return to Nigeria.”

He said that “the salvation of Nigeria is in the hands of Nigerian people. It is not in the hands of politicians. Politicians are always together. There is a way they always come together. Nigeria is our motherland, and we must continue to fight to ensure that democracy is responsive to the people’s yearnings.”

“We the people must hold the government accountable. It is our responsibility to continue to do that.”  

Also, a commissioner in the Columbus Westside Commission and community leader, Dr Awatif Elnour spoke on how she started serving the community and encouraged others on how to be involved in community service.

Commissioner Awatif, who is originally from Sudan, said Africans in the diaspora must “to come together, work together and stick together to elevate our people.”

“The current crisis in Sudan is a result of two people competing for power, one being a military leader and the other a political leader. Many people have been displaced and killed.”

She pleaded for prayers and support to end the crisis in Sudan, especially from the diasporan community.

Others who spoke at the Democracy Day included Prof Adeleke Adeeko of the Ohio State University, Diepreye Krukrubo, Abiodun Ogunjobi, Ernest Kanjo, Olatunji Oke, Okon Ekpenyong, Mayo Makinde, Mohamed Ali and Kofi Tutu.

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