….‘IBB Annuls Election’

….IBB Apologises 32 Years After

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has knocked the former Chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Humphrey Nwosu, for his role in the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The election, said to be one of the freest and fairest in the annals of the nation’s history, is believed to have been won by the late businessman and industrialist, Moshood Abiola, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

32 years later, Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the National Assembly, faulted Nwosu for not declaring the result of the election he presided over.

He argued that heaven would not have fallen if Nwosu made the move, stressing that in the worst case scenario, the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) would have imprisoned or killed him.

“If Nwosu had declared him, heaven would not fall,” the former Edo State Governor said on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “What may happen at best is that they will detain him and how do you now detain him because he has followed the law enacted by the military?”

“We told him that having organised the election up to the presidency, why won’t you just do the next step of declaring the winner? Abiola died pursuing a mandate, he had to proclaim himself as the winner, which Nwosu was going to do.

“If Abiola can have the courage, Abiola was not a militant. He wasn’t a Professor of Political Science; he was basically a businessman, but he had enough courage to say ‘I won this election.’ Someone who has the background in Political Science ought to be able to do even better than that.”

‘IBB Annuls Election’

Nigeria’s Military President at the time, General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, thus dumping his promise to hand power back to elected civilians.

Babangida made the announcement in a decree he signed, saying “These steps were taken to save our judiciary from being ridiculed and politicized locally and internationally.”

The action was generated with criticisms both locally and internationally, with western diplomats and opposition figures in Nigeria, dismissing Babangida’s excuse for cancelling the elections as an attempt to extend military rule.

Babangida also suspended the National Electoral Commission – led by the late Professor Humphrey Nwosu – the main governmental body responsible for restoring democracy.

Held on June 12 in Nigeria’s 30 states, the presidential elections involved chunks of land that are in many instances more populous and wealthy than many African nations. Roughly one out of every four black Africans is a Nigerian.

Though the exercise witnessed light voter turnout, there was no evidence of the violence and vote-rigging. Foreign observers who witnessed the election described it as generally free and fair.

IBB Apologises 32 Years After

After more than three decades, Babangida finally broke his silence on the June 12, 1993, presidential election annulled by his regime.

In his newly released autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service,’ presented in Abuja on February 20, the retired general showed unusual courage and patriotism by admitting that late M.K.O. Abiola won the June 12 election in 1993.

General Babangida confirmed for the first time in 32 years that Chief Abiola had won the historic June 12 election based on collated results.

The annulment was a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, precipitating a political crisis and hastened his exit from power.

“As the leader of the military administration, I accept full responsibility for all decisions taken under my watch. And June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, oversights, and missteps happen in quick succession but I say in my book, in all matters, we acted in supreme national interest so that Nigeria could survive,” the former military president told the gathering.

“Our nation’s march to democracy was interrupted, a fact that I deeply regret. But Nigeria survived and democracy is still alive, a testament to our resilience and commitment to progress. This book is part of my personal story with national history,” Babangida said.

A Spanish appeals court has overturned the rape conviction of Brazilian footballer Dani Alves.

According to a report from NEWS CENTRAL TV, all four judges unanimously ruled in favour of Alves’ appeal, leading to the annulment of his previous conviction.

In February 2023, Alves was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub on New Year’s Eve in 2022.

The case gained significant media attention, with prosecutors initially pushing for a harsher nine-year prison term.

While awaiting the appeal process, Alves was granted release on bail after paying one million euros (approximately $1.1 million).

The court has now fully overturned his conviction, citing inconsistencies in the evidence and legal interpretations presented during the original proceedings.

The appeals court ruling exposed multiple discrepancies in the initial trial, including contradictions in witness testimonies and procedural errors. The panel of judges concluded that these issues undermined the legitimacy of the conviction, necessitating a complete dismissal of the case.

Additionally, the court rejected the prosecution’s request to extend Alves’ sentence to nine years.

During the initial trial, the accuser testified while shielded from public view to protect her privacy. She alleged that Alves had forcibly assaulted her, despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. Prosecutors described her testimony as detailing feelings of “anguish and terror.”

Alves’ defence, however, argued that his interactions with the woman were consensual. His legal team also pointed out inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s statements and maintained that the nightclub environment made it difficult to determine the true nature of the encounter.

Dani Alves, now 41, has had a celebrated football career. He played a crucial role in Barcelona’s success, winning six La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. His international career includes 126 appearances for Brazil, earning two Copa America titles. Alves also played for top clubs like Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

At the time of his arrest, Alves was signed with the Mexican club Pumas UNAM. However, following the allegations, his contract was swiftly terminated.

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

The road to the ancient town of Calabar, Cross River State came back to life aside going for Tinapa, but this time around Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the workaholic and indefatigable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was honored with a Honorary Doctorate degree in law PhD,( Honoris Causa), the profession he built his life career .

As early as Saturday morning , 22nd March , 2025 , dignataries from all walks of life within and outside the shores of the country trooped into Calabar , the capital of Cross River State.

Even though, some dignataries had arrived few days earlier to enable them book for accommodation among many others to honor the man who deserve a great honor , the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his large retinue of entourage and dignataries touched down on the day of the event , owing to tight schedule officially .

Fully prepared for the auspicious event along with his friends, aides , appointees friends and well wishers , the FCT Minister was full of life for the singular honor been bestowed on him by the second generation University, The University of Calabar.

Wike, according to the University management was honored for his multiple contributions lately to nations development, the University and his strides during the eight years tenure as Governor of Rivers state, among many humanitarian gesture, social , political and economic contributions to both Rivers, FCT and Nigeria at large .

While appreciating the honor done him by the University of Calabar, particularly the consideration as one of the first cabinet Minister of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu , under the Renewed Hope Agenda to be confered with such a unique award in recent times.

He used the opportunity to thank the management, staff and students of the University of Calabar for the honor, which included the Chancellor of the institution and Emir of Kano , Dr Aminu Ado Bayero MNI.

He said the singular honor will be an opportunity provided for him to do more for the country, humanity and government and people of the country, particularly at this critical time of our national development.

While saying he will be encouraged and emboldened by the honor done to him by the University of Calabar , with the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate degree (PhD) in Law, stating that “good turn deserve another .”

The Minister maintained that his contributions to all facets of national development will be unwavering, particularly at this critical time when the country is confronted with leadership crises and desiring dedicated Nigerians to man similar sensitive and critical offices.

He used the opportunity to thank Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve the country under his administration of Renewed Hope Agenda and his determination to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians .

He further stated …

“Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has hailed the unwavering commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the advancement of higher education in the country, saying “The Renewed Hope Agenda has injected new life into our university system through landmark Interventions that are transforming the landscape of tertiary education.”

“The Minister, who spoke at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), after he was conferred with the university’s Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law, during its 50th anniversary and 37th convocation ceremony, said the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has provided the needed financial relief for students and ensured that no willing mind is denied access to quality education due to financial constraints.”

“According to a statement by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, he listed other interventions of the President in the higher education sector to include the Students Start-up Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grant, which he said has empowered young minds to translate knowledge into impactful enterprises, and removal of universities from the Intergrated Payroll Information System (IPPIS).”

“The FCT Minister noted that removal of universities from the IPPIS has restored financial autonomy to the institutions and enabled them to function with greater efficiency. ”

“Furthermore, the kind approval for the domiciliation of TETFund Research Funds within the respective institutions has equally strengthened the capacity for groundbreaking research and innovation.”

“These bold and forward-thinking policies are undoubtedly positioning Nigeria’s university system to meet the demands of the 21st century,” he said.

“Expressing his appreciation to the UNICAL authorities for finding him worthy of the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law, the FCT Minister said, the honour was a charge to him to remain steadfast in his contributions to national development, upholding ideals of excellence and service as an inspiration to the next generation. ”

Wike said; “As I proudly accept this honorary doctorate, I do so with renewed vigor to contribute even more meaningful to the advancement of education, good governance and national development. ”

“I am deeply humbled and honoured by this recognition. The University of Calabar has written my name in its golden records, and I embrace this moment with great responsibility.”

Highlights of the occasion included the conferment and decoration of the Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike with the Honorary Doctorate Degree PhD in Law by the management of the institution presided over by the Chancellor and Emir of Kano , Dr Aminu Ado Bayero MNI.

Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.