On June 12, 1994, Chief M.K.O. Abiola took a bold and fateful step in Nigeria’s political history.
Speaking to a crowd gathered in the Epetedo area of Lagos, he proclaimed himself the rightful president of Nigeria, almost a year after the June 12, 1993 election, which many Nigerians still regard as the most credible in the nation’s history.
This act of defiance, now known as the Epetedo Declaration, was a direct rebuke to the military regime that had annulled the democratic will of the people.
Abiola’s statement was not just a claim to office, it was a passionate appeal for justice, democracy, and the return of civilian rule.
The consequences were swift and severe. His declaration led to his arrest and prolonged detention, during which he died under controversial circumstances in 1998.
Yet, his stand became a symbol of resistance and a rallying point for pro-democracy movements across Nigeria.
Today, more than 30 years later, the legacy of June 12 continues to shape Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.
The date is now officially recognized as Democracy Day, a tribute to the enduring struggle for free and fair governance, and to the man who dared to speak for millions.
