The June 12 struggle: Nigeria's fight for democracy traced back to student protests

The struggle for democracy in Nigeria, particularly the events surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993 election, is examined in this piece as a pivotal moment with deep historical roots. The author argues that the foundation for confronting military rule was laid much earlier, notably by the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) during the April 1978 'Ali Must Go' uprising.

This 1978 protest is described as initiating a significant historical consciousness among students, marking a turning point in student-state relations and radical unionism. It shattered the perception of military governments' invincibility, led to the formation of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), and shifted the student motto to emphasize solidarity and continuous struggle.

The article highlights that the fight for the actualization of the June 12 mandate, though a glorious era, also rekindles painful memories. It notes that June 12 is now a public holiday and awards have been given to those who fought for it. However, the author raises critical questions about the criteria used to designate "Heroes and Heroines" of June 12, pondering whether the struggle was genuinely for democracy or driven by personal fallouts with despots, or even a desire to replace one form of despotism with another.

To foster a deeper understanding and enable further action by "emancipatory forces," the author calls for the government to declassify security reports related to the June 12 events. The piece emphasizes that the June 12 struggles were not an isolated incident but part of a longer trajectory of resistance against authoritarian rule, predating the 1993 election and extending through subsequent movements like the 1989 'Great Anti-SAP Uprising' organized by NANS.