Democracy Still Struggling 33 Years After June 12 – PDP

Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, has declared that democracy remains “still struggling” 33 years after the historic June 12, 1993, election, accusing the APC-led government of failing to uphold democratic principles.

In a statement released on Friday, the PDP said lessons from the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history “remain painfully unlearnt” under the current administration.

“As we commemorate Democracy Day, we remember the June 12, 1993, election (widely regarded as the freest and fairest in our history) and the sacrifices made to defend the people’s mandate,” the party said.

“We are reminded of the enthusiasm the citizenry displayed as they consciously blurred pre-existing fault lines and voted in a way that reflected a united country in search of progress.

“We equally remember the actions of undemocratic forces who strenuously fought to stall the wishes of the people, sparking a nationwide resistance that unfortunately claimed many lives.

“Thirty-three years later, the lessons of June 12 ring out more resoundingly than ever, calling on the Federal Government to act responsibly to uphold democracy, to guarantee civil rights such as the right to peaceful assembly and protest, and to protect the democratic rights of the opposition.

“They remind the electoral umpire of its critical role in the survival of democracy, a role that demands transparent impartiality and unimpeachable fairness, not as aspirations, but as minimum standards.”

PDP condemned the treatment of peaceful protesters in Abuja on Democracy Day, saying they were teargassed and assaulted.

“Today, of all days – a day set aside to honour the blood of democratic martyrs, peaceful protesters were teargassed and assaulted in Abuja,” the statement read.

The party said Omoleye Sowore was reportedly injured and hospitalised for demanding the immediate release of schoolchildren and teachers held hostage across the country.

 PDP accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of prioritising “optics over action, propaganda over policy.”

“Their disposition to governance has reduced this sacred day to a mere historic remembrance, rather than being a celebration of democratic consolidation,” the party said.

As the 2027 elections approach, the PDP called on citizens to remain vigilant in demanding democratic consolidation.

“The sacrifices of the past must not be reduced to ceremonial memory. They must be active warnings, that this country must never again travel the path of state-engineered anti-democratic actions,” the party said.

PRESS STATEMENT

JUNE 12: DEMOCRACY STILL STRUGGLING, 33 YEARS AFTER

As we commemorate Democracy Day, we remember the June 12, 1993, election (widely regarded as the freest and fairest in our history) and the sacrifices made to defend the people’s mandate. We are reminded of the… pic.twitter.com/WnIiH3vBvD

— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) June 12, 2026