Murtala Nyako and the Issue of the Annulment of June 12, 1993 Election

By

Suleiman Usman

It is quite funny and curious to learn after fifteen solid years, that some villians who stoutly stand and defend the annulment of the June 12, 1993 are today occupying political seats as champions of democracy.

One of these villians, that nearly wreck the Nigeria democracy and even tried to plunged this country into choas was the incumbent Governor of Adamawa State Admiral Murtala Nyako. The recent revelations by no any other person, than Prof. Nwosu during the launching his book or rather memoirs about the 1993 election is a food for thought for political pundits in this country on the role played by some top leaders of the then administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Notable persons, such as the present President of the Senate David Mark, incumbent Governor of Adamawa State Murtala Nyako were the brain behind the annulment of the election, that was now revealed to have been won by the late Chief Moshhod Abiola.

It is quite disgusting for Nigerians to learn through by no less a person than the Chairman of the eletoral body that conducted the election that the likesof David Mark and Murtala Nyako who constitutes the committee that was set up by the then National Defence Security Council masterminded and seriously recommended to the council for the annulment of the election that nearly consumed the entire country and plunged it into a very serious tight situation that can easily break up this country.

How could one, reconciled the present posture of Admiral Nyako as a democrat that even constested election for the highest office of Adamawa State after being a party to the clique that annulled the election of June 12, 1993 that could have lead Nigeria to been one of the country that democracy endure?

Why was Nyako now interested in democracy after playing the role, he played that annulled the June 12, 1993 election? Does he now believe in democracy simply because he would enjoy the crumbs as Governor?

Infact, it is worth saying that Murtala Nyako is an opportunist going by how he clinched the ticket of the PDP as the party's candidate for the governorship election without the PDP conducting any primaries inspite the numerous people, who have indicated their interest.

History always has its way. It is now revealed how some anti-democratic elements turned to be democrats now simply because they don't have anything doing like Murtala Nyako and David Mark.

If not in Nigeria, how could people who did not believe in the surpremacy of democracy and being democrats could blindly use their connection as ex-military men curry favour from a despot like the former President to be imposed as Governor and Senator.

It is a well-known fact, that Murtala Nyako was and not a person that like democracy to firmly take its root in this country. But, because of certain circumtances between him and the former President Obasanjo was forcibly imposed as the candidate of the PDP in Adamawa State for the election of 2007 and the recent re-run election that was marred by irregularities.

Nigeria has a long way to go if certain anti-democratic elements like Nyako who use power as military leaders made a headway now.The revelation of Humprey Nwosu come at the right time.

It has now come to the full knowledge of all irrespective of party lining to see that Admiral Murtala Nyako(rtd) is not and does not believe in the sanctity of democracy but using it as a leeway to clinched the exalted office as Governor which was made possible by the use of federal might for his own selfish ends and not to delivered the much dividend of democracy.

In a discussion with a friend just before the PDP under Ahmadu Ali annouced that Murtala Nyako is the party's candidate for the governorship in Adamawa State, my friend confided in me, that the ticket would be given to Nyako in order for to recoup from a deal, he transacted with the former President Obasanjo and not for anything.

It is so sad, that a person who does not believes in seeing democracy being entrenched in the country turned now to be one of the major beneficiary of democracy by aspiring as a Governor. It has now being revealed that the elements fighting the former Vice-President Atiku are not genuine democrats but only interested in what may come their way and their retinue of cronies, friends and family.