A former military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, says politicians have failed to exploit the gains of June 12 election.
He made this claim on Sunday as his Democracy Day speech.
According to a statement by his Kassim Afegbua, Babangida lamented that politicians have blatantly ignored the “beauty part” of June 12, 1993 election which he said was adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria.
“The gains of June 12, 1993 presidential election have not been exploited by political leaders in succeeding elections in Nigeria,” he said.
“It was adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria, yet politicians have blatantly ignored that beauty; the beauty of credible elections.
“Remember, it was an election Nigerians came out en mass to choose their leaders, irrespective of their cultural/traditional and religious affiliations.”
The former military leader said political violence and incessant litigations in Nigeria’s elections are part of the issues affecting democracy.
“There is thuggery in politics in Nigeria, too many litigations in Nigeria, too many issues that transparent elections ought to have addressed,” he said.
