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As Nigerians commemorate Democracy Day in remembrance of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of betraying the foundational ideals of that democratic milestone.

The CNPP, which represents a broad coalition of political parties in the country, says that June 12 should remain more than a symbolic date on the calendar—it should be a guiding light for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a press statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade James Ezema, the CNPP said the significance of June 12 lies in its symbolism of national unity, electoral transparency, and democratic sacrifice.

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country recalled that on that date in 1993, Nigerians came together as one people, transcending ethnic, religious, and regional lines to elect the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola in what remains the most credible election in the nation’s history. Despite its unprecedented credibility, the election was annulled by a military junta bent on preserving its grip on power.

The CNPP expressed deep regret that the APC, a political party that was largely birthed from the legacy of pro-democracy struggles and which had actively pushed for the recognition and immortalization of MKO Abiola, has now turned against the very democratic values it once claimed to uphold.

According to the group, the same political elements and movements that fought for the restoration of June 12 and later merged to form the APC have now become agents of democratic decay.

While acknowledging the role of past administrations, including that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, in officially recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day, the CNPP warned against mistaking symbolism for substance.

The group lamented that despite the recognition of June 12 in law and in public commemorations, elections conducted under APC-led governments have consistently failed to meet democratic expectations.

According to the statement, the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process has been steadily undermined under the APC.

The CNPP cited widespread allegations of voter suppression, the militarization of polling units, manipulation of election results, abuse of incumbency, and the weakening of electoral institutions as examples of how the integrity of the electoral process has been compromised.

These failures, the body said, stand in stark contrast to the principles and aspirations that defined the June 12 struggle for democratic freedom and justice.

The CNPP also condemned the APC’s unwillingness to pursue genuine electoral reforms or to support the creation of a new constitution that is truly reflective of the people’s will.

According to the statement, the absence of a people-driven constitution continues to hinder progress toward transparent governance and institutional accountability.

The CNPP argued that the principles of popular sovereignty, fair competition, and justice that anchored the June 12 movement have been eroded in the face of political expediency and the quest for absolute control.

Of particular concern to the CNPP is the legacy of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the major legacy parties that merged to form the APC. The group observed that the ACN had once been at the forefront of championing the ideals of MKO Abiola and June 12, only for its leaders and associates to abandon those values after gaining political power.

The CNPP characterized this shift as a betrayal of the very purpose and promise of the June 12 struggle, warning that such historical revisionism undermines public trust and weakens the democratic fabric of the nation.

In a passionate appeal, the CNPP called on the APC-led Federal Government to initiate a national process for enacting a new People’s Constitution.

The body emphasized that this constitution must be shaped by the aspirations of ordinary Nigerians and rooted in justice, equity, and institutional independence. Only through such a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the CNPP maintained, can Nigeria establish the structural and legal foundations for sustainable democratic governance.

The statement also directed a pointed message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to live up to his own legacy as a central figure in the June 12 pro-democracy movement.

The CNPP reminded the President of the personal sacrifices he made alongside other patriots in resisting the military regimes of Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha, and called on him to now prove that his commitment to democracy extended beyond the struggle to end military rule.

The CNPP stressed that President Tinubu’s administration has a historic responsibility to ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, transparent, and credible.

The President, it said, must guarantee that the elections are conducted in a way that reflects the true will of the Nigerian people, free from vote buying, intimidation, rigging, and institutional manipulation.

According to the statement, by championing such an outcome, President Tinubu could write his name in gold and earn a place in history alongside global statesmen such as Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who won international praise for conceding defeat in 2015 and thereby strengthening Nigeria’s democratic credentials.

As the country pauses to remember the heroes and martyrs of the June 12 movement, the CNPP insisted that commemorating the date must be more than an annual ritual. Instead, it must serve as a moment of deep reflection on the state of democracy in Nigeria.

The group questioned whether today’s democratic institutions and electoral processes reflect the dreams of MKO Abiola and the millions who defied military oppression to demand accountable governance.

The CNPP concluded by calling on all arms of government, civil society, youth groups, and political parties to recommit to the ideals of electoral justice, inclusion, good governance, and national unity. It urged all stakeholders to rise to the challenge of building a democracy worthy of the name and true to the spirit of June 12.

“Democracy is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a covenant between the people and their leaders — a covenant the APC must now honor, not betray,” the CNPP declared.

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