So Peter Obi was with the jackboot military that brought Abacha to power? Meanwhile Tinubu was in Babangida's book launch eulogizing him as one of the contributors to the Nigerian democratic journey?
The OP is must be high on cow dung. They can't even just hide the paranoia and OCD with the worst fear.
Good humanitarian act there by the spirited persons. Humanity can be bettered when it is not seen from a narrow ethno-regional sentiments point of view.
Some persons palms have been greased with crispy wads of naira or rice palliatives have been dished out. The tyranny you refused to oppose today will consume you sometime someday.
Shebi you lots say Nigeria has exceeded revenue target hence no need for borrowing? Thought Wale Edun was expressing worries about Nigeria's debt burden?
So what has changed? Election money being borrowed to be embezzled. Never trust a government of lies and propaganda.
Outfield players become goalkeepers primarily during in-game emergencies—such as a red card or injury to the starting keeper when all substitutions are used. Famous instances include Olivier Giroud (2023), Kyle Walker (2019), and Harry Kane (2014) stepping in for the final minutes. These rare moments often occur in the final moments of matches.
Key Examples of Emergency Goalkeepers: Olivier Giroud (2023): For AC Milan, he made a crucial 1v1 save in the final minutes against Genoa.
Kyle Walker (2019): For Manchester City, he played in goal for the final 10+ minutes of a Champions League match against Atalanta.
Harry Kane (2014): For Tottenham, he scored a hat-trick and later took over in goal after Hugo Lloris was injured against Asteras Tripolis.
John O'Shea (2007): For Manchester United, he stepped into goal during a Champions League match against Portsmouth.
Rio Ferdinand (2008): For Manchester United during an FA Cup match.
Key Historical & Tactical Context: Early History: Goalkeepers have been part of football since its formal inception, with references dating back to 1602 in Cornish Hurling.
Substitutions: The rise of these situations is often due to teams using their maximum allowed substitutions before their goalkeeper gets injured or sent off.
Rules: If a team has used all their substitutions, a player already on the field must become the keeper.
💥WHEN PLAYERS BECAME GOALKEEPERS 🧤 Not in training. Not for fun. But when everything went wrong…someone had to step in. These aren’t normal moments. These are football’s rarest scenes.😳👀
In this thrilling video, we dive into those rare moments when OUTFIELD players step up to become GOALKEEPERS! ⚽️ Witness the unexpected as we explore instances from the Premier League featuring teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City.
Goalkeepers arguably have the hardest job in football in having to keep out the opposition. Such is the specialised nature of the position, only very rarely do outfield players ever go in goal, and that too, only in extreme circumstances. Pele, Olivier Giroud and Rio Ferdinand are among the high-profile names to have played as a goalkeeper during a game.
As the years go by and footballers' profiles evolve, it becomes less and less rare to see them capable of playing in different positions. Players such as Joshua Kimmich, Joao Cancelo and David Alaba are renowned for their versatility and can play in a number of different positions. But no matter how good they are, none of them have the ability to become a genuinely top-class goalkeeper.
Unlike a traditional player, a goalkeeper must be skilful with his hands, have above-average reflexes and be able to read the trajectory of a ball. In some cases, however, history has shown that certain players, known as 'outfielders', have had to don the gloves and become their team's last line of defence for a match or a few minutes at a time. This article lists 11 iconic players who, in the course of their careers, have been forced to replace their goalkeeper in their own goal.
11 Outfield Players Who Have Played in Goal Rank; 1 Player; Alfredo Di Stefano Game; River Plate vs Boca Juniors Date; 31th of July 1949
The rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors is perhaps one of the most important in world football - and has been for several decades - and has many stories to tell. The one on the 31th of July 1949 is one of the most famous. On that day, El Millonario hosted their neighbours at the Monumental. A goal from Angel Labruna put River in front, and they looked to be on their way to victory, until something dramatic happened at the end of the game. La Banda Roja goalkeeper Amadeo Carrizo was forced to give up his place and was replaced by Alfredo Di Stefano, the future Real Madrid player, who managed to maintain his side's advantage despite the lack of suitable kit (gloves did not yet exist). It should be noted that, at the time, the rules did not yet allow the goalkeeper to be replaced by his substitute.
Rank; 2 Player; Pele. Game; Santos vs Gremio Date; 19th of January 1964
Everyone knows Pele as one of the greatest players in the history of the beautiful game. Yet few know that the Brazilian once played as a goalkeeper. One crazy anecdote dates back to 1963, during a prolific league match between his Santos team and Gremio - Santos won 4-3.
The 24-year-old, who scored a hat-trick that day, replaced his team-mate and goalkeeper Gilmar, who had been sent off, for the last five minutes of the game. As his former team-mate Pepe recounted, Pele shone once again, as usual, making several decisive saves to seal his side's victory.
Ranks; 3 Player; Gerd Muller Game; Hamburg SV vs Bayern Munich Date; 20th of October 1965
It's hard to imagine Gerd Muller, Bayern Munich's all-time top scorer and the German league's all-time top scorer, donning a pair of gloves as a goalkeeper. And yet he did. On the 20th of October 1965, as Bayern Munich took on Hamburg, the German striker was already doing what he was used to doing (he was only 20 at the time): scoring.
After scoring against HSV, it was in another area of the game that Der Bomber made his game memorable. With goalkeeper Sepp Maier needing treatment for a knee injury, the centre-forward replaced him on the goal line for a few minutes. It was a rare moment for a player reputed to be better with his feet than his hands, but he still managed to keep his goal intact.
Rank; 4 Player; Jan Koller Game; Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund Date; 9th of November 2002
Matthias Sammer's decision to replace Jens Lehmann, who was sent off in the Klasiker against Bayern Munich, with Jan Koller was perhaps the most logical decision ever. At 6ft8in, the Borussia Dortmund striker looked the most likely to deputise for his keeper, despite the fact that his coach had already made three tactical changes.
It was a decision that almost paid off, because although Koller did not concede a single goal in his 24 minutes in goal, his team still lost to the Bavarians. And had he needed a consolation prize, the Czech could have been proud of being voted team of the week by German sports daily Kicker.
Rank; 5 Player; Rio Ferdinand Game; Manchester United vs Portsmouth Date; 9th of March 2008
Perhaps this episode has served Rio Ferdinand well in his quest to establish himself as one of the finest defenders in Premier League history. On the 9th of March 2008, Manchester United played host to Portsmouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals. On the face of it, the match looked to be in the Red Devils' favour, as they were overwhelming favourites. But not everything went according to plan.
When Edwin van der Sar went off injured at half-time, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to rely on his replacement, Tomasz Kuszczak. The latter, playing in his first FA Cup match of the season, distinguished himself in the worst possible way, conceding a penalty and getting sent off with 15 minutes remaining. It was a disaster scenario to which Ferdinand responded by pulling on the gloves. But despite the Englishman's best efforts, he was unable to prevent the spot-kick being converted, and Manchester United went down 1-0.
Rank; 6 Player; Felipe Melo Game; Elazigspor vs Galatasaray Date; 24th of November 2012
Similar situations, different stakes. Like Sakho, Felipe Melo also found himself in goal for his Galatasaray side after goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was sent off for a foul in his area. But while Paris Saint-Germain were assured of the Ligue 1 title, Cimbom (Galatasaray's nickname) could have moved to within a point of Super Lig leaders Antalyaspor with a win.
Their mission was well under way, with the Stambouliotes leading 1-0 against Elazigsport in the 89th minute. Faced with the opposing marksman, the Brazilian had the chance to give his side a precious win at a hugely important time. Going to his right, he miraculously saved the penalty - adding an iconic dog-like celebration to his achievement - and kept his side ahead, eventually winning the league.
Rank; 7 Player; Mamadou Sakho Game; FC Lorient vs Paris Saint-Germain Date; 26th of May 2013
By the time they travelled to Lorient in 2013, PSG were already guaranteed the French title. It was an opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti, whose departure for Real Madrid the following season was already a foregone conclusion, to carry out an extensive squad review. Alphonse Areola, who started the game, was replaced by substitute Ranan Le Crom on the hour mark, with the score already 0-2 up.
A third goal, scored by Kevin Gameiro, who scored twice on the night, added to the lead. But the real event of the match did not come until the 81st minute. Le Crom was fouled in his own area and conceded a penalty, forcing the referee to send him back to the dressing room.
Ancelotti then took the opportunity to bring on Mamadou Sakho, a central defender, to take his place in goal. Arnaud Le Lan converted the spot-kick to bring the score back down to 3-1, but Lorient could not find a way past the fill-in PSG goalkeeper again.
Rank; 8 Player; Harry Kane Game; Tottenham vs Asteras Tripolis Date; 23rd of October 2014
As well as being a formidable goalscorer, Harry Kane has proved himself to be a player full of unexpected resources. In 2014, when Tottenham played host to Greek side Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League group stage, the striker proved just that. After scoring a hat-trick during the match, the 'Prince' was forced to replace Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal after the latter's dismissal.
It was an unusual experience from which the Englishman did not emerge unscathed, conceding a goal from a direct free-kick late on. It was an inconsequential goal, given that his team were already 5-0 up, but it was an anecdote that all the north London club's supporters still remember.
[i]Rank; 9 Player; Kyle Walker Game; Atalanta vs Manchester City Date; 6th of November 2019[/i]
With Manchester City needing just a point - from two games - to reach the last 16 of the Champions League in 2019, the trip to Italy to take on Atalanta was the perfect opportunity. And Raheem Sterling's early goal gave the City fans a little extra something to cheer about.
But just as everything seemed to be going to plan, the situation changed at the start of the second half. Ederson was forced off with a minor injury and replaced by Claudio Bravo, who promptly conceded the equaliser. To make matters worse, the Chilean keeper was also sent off for a foul on Josip Ilicic. Right-back Kyle Walker took on the gloves and occupied the Skyblues' goal for 17 minutes, managing not to concede another goal, including denying a long-range free-kick from Atalanta.
Rank; 10 Player; Chaker Alhadhur Game; Cameroon - Comoros Date; 24th of January 2022
Here again is an image that has left its mark on the world of football. In 2022, when the Comoros were due to face Cameroon in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Coelacanthes (the nickname of the Comoros national team) were faced with an unprecedented situation: all three of their goalkeepers had been affected by the coronavirus and were unavailable for the match.
So Chaker Alhadhur, a full-back by trade, took on the responsibility of replacing them in goal against one of the continent's top teams. It was a memorable match in which the player trained at FC Nantes in France made a number of impressive saves and conceded just two goals. Despite his team's elimination, Alhadhur won the hearts of all observers and became a true national hero.
Rank; 11 Player; Olivier Giroud Game; Genoa vs AC Milan Date; 7th of October 2023
It is undoubtedly one of the images of the 2023/24 Serie A season. Travelling to Genoa for the eighth matchday of the season, AC Milan thought they were on their way to a hard-fought victory when Christian Pulisic scored in the 87th minute. But although they did win (0-1), the end of the match turned into something of a nightmare. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off in the 90th minute after a poor clearance from outside his area.
With Stefano Pioli having already made all his changes, it was Olivier Giroud who finally replaced his compatriot for the final minutes. The French striker was perfectly placed to fill in for the Frenchman, who was even rewarded with a place in the Italian league's team of the week when he saved at the feet of an opposing striker.
Hehehe! See reasoning. It is not this fella whose brother was kidnapped by terrorists and he himself arrested by the DSS recently? Seems his brain will never reset.
Hehehe! Tinubu is still confident campaigning? More hunger, hardship, widespread insecurity, unemployment, reduced purchasing power, or what?
Guess the good humanity with conscience in Nigeria today have seen Tinubu for the unmitigated disaster that he is? Even Buhari pales into insignificance in comparison to this evil despite that both are plagues Nigeria never deserve.
See a retard whose brain is far away from him. What is the value of a life lost to the political relevance of the vote? Families are mourning loss loved ones while this imp is saying shitcrap.
Some politicians are really callous and wicked. This man is one of such. These are the wicked souls that politicize and rationalize the incompetence of the seating government.
Gosh! Gaddamnned it. These people are just stealing for the next election. Duplication of payment approval.
Whenever they're subjected to the smallest level of heat from the public, they concoct lies and recycle them to the public. Zero respect or reverence for the people whose mandate they stole. Government of recycling criminality.
"Now, we come to the ‘sophisticated’ South-West, and to a great extent, the South-South. I wept for Yorubaland! The region proved to be the most unfortunate group in the ‘protest’, which ensured that everything about the hunger in the land is as a result of the ‘hatred’ for Tinubu!
[I]I feel so ashamed each time I come across the state-sponsored narratives that have emanated from the South-West over this ‘protest’. Again, the pro-government groups and individuals in the South-West have also shown that Nigeria is a superglued nation![/i]
For many of these ‘Hallelujah’ groups, it doesn’t matter if Tinubu performs in office or not as long as it is a Yoruba man that is there! They don’t care if or not their man would be leaving behind any legacy.
These are the set of people (very many of them hungry and beggarly), who have taken the “Èmilókán” campaign to a level that no matter how fatuous a government policy is, as long it is Tinubu that initiated it, ‘all true sons and daughters of Yorubaland’ must embrace it!
To them, with that kind of thinking faculty, the hunger in the land is because people lost elections. The inability of farmers to go to their farms because of farmers’/herders’ clashes can be traced to election losers. The floating of the Naira, poor economic policies of the government and the extravagance at all levels of government is all about 2027. Pity!
They advocated for fair play and democracy when we were the victims of the tyranny. Now that they emerged, then they have subjected same citizens to more cruelty.
They kept masquerading themselves as Democrat and progressives but sadly they are full fledged tyrannical despots. A classical case of the Orwellian era animal farm wickedness.
"Many who claimed the legacy of June 12 have since betrayed its ideals. From 1999 to 2025, Nigeria’s democracy has largely been hijacked by anti-democratic forces, military elites, and their civilian proxies. What we have is a façade of democracy lacking substance. The custodians of power have largely betrayed the spirit of June 12.
Today, the bitter irony is that one of the key beneficiaries of the pro-democracy struggle, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now leads an administration that is actively suppressing the very values that June 12 stood for. Under his watch, we’ve seen alarming assaults on press freedom, civic space, and dissenting voices.
The ruling party is attempting to turn Nigeria into a de facto one-party state, silencing opposition while promoting a culture of impunity and wasteful governance.
While millions of Nigerians battle hunger, joblessness, and fear for their safety amid worsening insecurity, the government obsesses over the 2027 elections—without delivering on the basic promises of the current mandate..... "
Mixed feelings, tinges of regret as democrats relive ghost of June 12
“On the march again!” That was the signature tune of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as he flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as its presidential standard bearer in the historic 1993 election.
In various nooks and corners of the country, young people, men, and women, both not-so-old and the elderly echoed the chorus: “MKO na our man,” to affirm their support for the SDP presidential candidate, who went on to win the election, which eventually turned out as a stillbirth victory.
What would have culminated in a beautiful denouement of a long, windy, and tricky military-to-civil rule transition ended up as a bitter potion that left a sour aftertaste in the mouths of Nigerians.
Next to soccer, there is no other event or exercise that holds so much endearment to Nigerians than democracy, specifically the election, which saddles them with the power to exercise the authority to hire and fire over the high and mighty men and women who end up as leaders.
After a prolonged military interregnum that spanned 1966 through 1999, with short spasms in 1979 to 1983, which happened to be the Second Republic, Nigerians craved a return to civil rule. Not even what was presented as a diarchy, the mix between civil and military rule, which was experimented with between 1991 and 1992 by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida-led military junta, was able to quench the citizens’ quest for democracy.
It was against the background of that great expectation, particularly the insincere approach to the planned return of democracy, that Nigerians trooped out en masse on June 12, 1993, to choose their preferred candidate as president. That could not be because instead of respecting the people’s will, military adventurers foisted a quasi-democracy that unveiled an appointed civilian head of government augmented with an admixture of military and civilian federal cabinet.
By supplanting Chief M.K. O. Abiola, the popular choice, with a handpicked Ernest Shonekan, the khaki boys failed to acknowledge that the god of democracy does not accept the red oil (imposed leadership) in place of the blood (popular ballot).
Ever since that cheeky attempt to thread on the expressed will of Nigerians, the spectre of June 12 has continued to haunt the polity as agitations for the revalidation of Abiola’s election became a national anthem. Subsequent attempts to appease the citizenry, including a promise of a fresh election and political cum constitutional conference, failed to douse the animosity against peace and orderly governance in the federation.
The return to full-fledged military rule in November 1993 through the sacking of the Shonekan-led Government of National Unity sparked off further public discontent that consumed the lives of the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential poll, and the head of the putschists that overthrew the GNU.
In 1999, the democracy that the people desired dawned on the country. Yet, the murmurs against the putdown of the popular will of June 12 persisted, leading to incremental efforts at pacification. First, Abiola was conferred with the posthumous honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) in a veiled recognition of his aborted presidency. Then, June 12, instead of May 29, was proclaimed by then-President Muhammadu Buhari as Democracy Day in Nigeria.
That wind of recognition, which came 25 years after the annulled election, was a sign that those who murder democracy, murdered sleep, and could therefore not sleep. Again, 32 years later, June 12 has attained the full stature of a national holiday, as well as a day to remember and reflect on the country’s tortuous journey to enthrone a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.[/i]p
[i]‘Progressives’ who fought for democracy are now pulling it down, stakeholders lament AMID the potpourri of the political vicissitudes that the country has weathered, stakeholders have continued to express divergent views about the importance of June 12 vis-à-vis the country’s democracy, stressing that much still needs to be done to achieve the ideals and realistic expectations of popular governance.
In the South-West region, which has been at the forefront of the agitation for good and responsible governance, a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and former representative of Ogun Central Senatorial District, Femi Okurounmu, said the ideals of June 12 have remained unrealized 32 years after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
According to Okurounmu, self-styled progressives, many of whom were active in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 mandate, now occupy positions of power. He regretted that some of the former agitators who are now in positions of authority have failed to show a genuine commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections.
“The core idea of June 12 was to ensure that Nigeria could hold transparent elections, especially after what was widely regarded as the freest and fairest poll in the country’s history was annulled,” he noted. While excusing perceived conservatives like former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, Okurounmu criticised those he described as so-called progressives currently in power, saying that they have done little to uphold the spirit of June 12.
His words: “Nigerians have become increasingly disillusioned with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because they believe that their votes no longer count. They also believe that since 1999, it is INEC and the judiciary, not the electorate, that have been determining the country’s leadership.”
Citing former military president, Gen. Babangida, who annulled the June 12 election, Okurounmu recalled that Babangida once admitted to credible Nigerians that the annulment was a grave error. Yet, he lamented that nothing has been done to address that historical injustice. “Instead, the Nigerian elite gathered at Babangida’s book launch and praised him, even though he destroyed our democracy,” he said.
He further decried the disturbing trend where politicians in power, with no interest in credible elections, often urge aggrieved parties to “go to court”, knowing full well that their allies dominate the judiciary. “The mistake that Babangida made was organising a free, fair, and credible election that produced Abiola as the winner. Since then, no Nigerian leader has replicated such an electoral process,” he added.
"Nigerian Democracy a Façade, Lacks Substance." - Omololu ALSO, the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere and former NADECO member, Abogun Kole Omololu, described the June 12, 1993, presidential election as the most credible and unifying electoral moment in Nigeria’s post-independence history.
Reflecting on the significance of the election, Omololu noted that it marked a break from Nigeria’s divisive political past. “It embodied Pan-Nigerian inclusiveness, mass participation, and the triumph of the people’s will. Nigerians demanded accountable leadership, equity, and an end to ethno-religious politics. M.K.O. Abiola’s campaign stood on hope, economic justice, and restoring dignity to the ordinary citizen,” Omololu said.
He, however, lamented that many who claimed the legacy of June 12 have since betrayed its ideals. “From 1999 to 2025, Nigeria’s democracy has largely been hijacked by anti-democratic forces, military elites, and their civilian proxies. What we have is a façade of democracy lacking substance."
The former NADECO member argued that while former presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan maintained civilian rule, they failed to align with the true spirit of the democratic struggle, constrained by weak reforms and a failure to tackle entrenched corruption.
“In contrast, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands out,” he added. “He is arguably the only post-June 12 political figure with authentic democratic credentials rooted in personal sacrifice and principled activism. From exile during military rule to becoming a key figure in progressive politics, Tinubu has consistently championed federalism, political pluralism, and subnational empowerment.”
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, he concluded, “History will judge not by intentions, but by the extent to which we achieve justice, equity, and national renewal.” For stakeholders in the South-South, the custodians of power in the country have largely betrayed the spirit of June 12.
“June 12 was a protest through the ballot; a collective outcry for freedom, justice, and a new political order,” said Peter Mazi, a civil society advocate. He added that the election, won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola, symbolised hope for a nation long battered by elite misrule and military dictatorship, even as he emphasised that the annulment of such an election was a betrayal of the people’s will, but its memory has endured because it represented a vision of unity and democratic renewal.
The policy analyst stated: “The main message of June 12 was that democracy must serve the people. It was not just about who won the election, but what the people voted for—an end to poverty, inclusive governance, and a responsive state that puts citizens over elite interests. “The campaign’s slogan, “Hope ’93,” embodied aspirations for social equity, transparent leadership, and national healing. That’s why for many of us in civil society, June 12 is not merely a date to be declared a public holiday, it is a symbol of an unfinished struggle for genuine democracy and social justice.
“Yet, from 1999 to 2025, the custodians of power have largely betrayed the spirit of June 12. Today, the bitter irony is that one of the key beneficiaries of the pro-democracy struggle, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, now leads an administration that is actively suppressing the very values that June 12 stood for. Under his watch, we’ve seen alarming assaults on press freedom, civic space, and dissenting voices.
The ruling party is attempting to turn Nigeria into a de facto one-party state, silencing opposition while promoting a culture of impunity and wasteful governance. While millions of Nigerians battle hunger, joblessness, and fear for their safety amid worsening insecurity, the government obsesses over the 2027 elections—without delivering on the basic promises of the current mandate.
“Until we dismantle the political economy that enables elite domination and mass suffering, the spirit of June 12 will remain alive—not in official proclamations, but in the resistance of ordinary Nigerians who continue to fight for a country where power truly belongs to the people. June 12 is not a celebration—it is a call to action.”
On his part, the National Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, said: “MKO’s victory, despite his running mate being from the same religion, demonstrated that the country’s problems transcend religion, region, or ethnicity. What people truly desire is good leadership.
“The June 12, 1993, presidential election was memorable because it rekindled hope among ordinary citizens after years of military dictatorship. MKO’s campaign slogan, ‘Hope ’93’, was a powerful message that brought hope to the people, promising a return to constitutional rights, freedom of speech, movement, and the right to elect their preferred leaders.”
The INC’s spokesman, however, regretted that 32 years later, the impact of democracy remains elusive for the majority of the electorate. Insecurity, poverty, erratic power supply, poor healthcare, unemployment, and other challenges persist. “Worst of still, the same people who fought for democracy are the same actors pulling down democracy,” he lamented.
Emmanuel Obe, a policy and political analyst, noted that June 12, 1993, was the standalone presidential election between Abiola of SDP and Bashir Tofa of NRC and the climax of the run of elections to end the political transition of the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.
“The election was popular and had a very robust electioneering before it. It broke sectional barriers as Abiola defeated Tofa in his home state of Kano and other northern states. There was transparency in the process. However, a few people connected to the government did not like the outcome and prevailed on Babangida to annul it. But most importantly, the election did not take place in Ogoni land,” he stated.
All the same, a Professor of International Law and Global Politics at the University of Kansas Law School, USA, Prof. Jehu Onyekwere Nnaji, noted that those who championed the revalidation of June 12 have made some progress in delivering democratic dividends.
He recounted the recognition of June 12 as the New Democracy Day by former President Muhammadu Babangida in 2018, replacing May 29; the expression of regrets for the annulment of the 1993 elections and acknowledgement that Chief Moshood Abiola won the exercise by former Military leader, General Ibrahim Babangida (Retd), and the several electoral reforms, aimed at ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria were some progress made in the country by those who championed the cause.[/i]0
Nnaji said that the message of the June 12 election was memorable for several reasons, as it included national unity, transparent leadership, and a collective desire for democracy.
He regretted, however, that the electoral umpire of June 12, 1993, is yet to be accorded the necessary and due honour from any Nigerian Federal Government, adding that Prof Humphrey Nwosu defied the courts and threats to conduct the election.
[i]"June 12 election changed political history of Nigeria." MEANWHILE, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) stated that the June 12 saga was a “political drama that changed the political history of Nigeria.” The Leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, described it as a full display of acts of political intimidation, domination, and outright display of gross disrespect to the rule of law by the then military administration of the ex-president, Babangida.
“June 12 saga was also an event where an Igbo man called Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the then chief electoral umpire, risked his family’s life, stood his ground irrespective of threat to his life to uphold the choice of the Nigerian people, but was abruptly stopped by the judiciary, and military dictators," he said.
Also reminiscing about June 12, 1993, an Enugu-based lawyer, Nonso Ogbeh, argued that President Tinubu, as a product of the June 12, 1993, struggle, has failed to live up to the aspirations of the struggle, stressing that democracy, as the “essence of that struggle has retrogressed under him… Tinubu has not lived up to that expectation with his policies and appointments.”
On the lessons of June 12, Ogbeh stated that apart from showing that Nigerians would always speak up when it matters most, “It was also a message passed to us that free and fair elections are possible in Nigeria if the various stakeholders are willing to make it possible. When that exercise was truncated, the development that followed was not a funny one. This should send the message that in Nigeria, all things are possible. Even though there are violent crimes taking place across the board in Nigeria, whenever Nigerians are willing to tow a particular line, they are willing to do so.
“We fought a war that divided us, but when the people were tired of the military regime, they did not look at religion or ethnicity in coming together to chase out the military. So, the message at the moment would have been that despite how politicians are exhibiting a nonchalant attitude to the predicament of the Nigerian people we can still congregate to get a candidate that can offer solutions to the challenges of the country,” he said
Whao! More cash out for some fellas. So what have Bayo Adelabu and the corrupt govt been doing with all the power ministry budgets for the past years?
Thought to provide 24 hours electricity is not rocket science? So what have happened to all these expert wonder dogs in providing reliable electricity after 10 years of being on the saddle?
Perhaps the plans have not been well perfected yet hence retreat to devise another scheming. Honestly INEC is no longer trustworthy impartial independent unbiased uncompromising dispassionate. The altruistic reason behind this revalidation exercise will be reveal with time.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all resident electoral commissioners (RECs) to suspend publicity and arrangements for the planned voter revalidation exercise.
On Wednesday, INEC said it would commence a nationwide voter revalidation drive on April 13, 2026, as part of efforts to update the voter register ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a letter signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, its secretary, the commission asked all RECs to commence necessary preparations for the exercise, including sourcing of personnel and preparation of INEC voter enrolment devices (IVED). The letter also listed the timeline for the exercise.
The timeline shows that the exercise will begin at the LGA level from April 13 to May 2, before moving to the registration area (RA) level from May 5 to May 11, and subsequently to polling units (PUs) from May 13 to May 19.
The commission said its meeting with RECs earlier scheduled to hold physically on Thursday, April 9 at 11:00am will now be conducted virtually via Zoom.
“Further to the notice of meeting dated 3rd April 2026, please be informed that the meeting of the commission with Resident Electoral Commissioners scheduled for Thursday, 9th April 2026 at 11.00am will now hold virtually via Zoom,” the notice reads.
The commission advised RECs to remain in their respective states and await login details, which will be shared once arrangements for the virtual meeting are concluded.
“Consequently, RECs are advised to remain in their states and await the login details which will be shared once the meeting is set up,” INEC said.
The commission added that all publicity and preparations for the voter revalidation exercise should be put on hold pending further directives.
“RECs are also directed to step down all publicity and arrangements for the voter revalidation exercise and await further directives from the commission,” the notice added.
INEC expressed regret over any inconvenience caused by the changes, assuring the commissioners of its consideration.
Politics › Re: How David Mark, Peter Obi And Others Brought Abacha To Power by Racoon(m): 7:51pm On Apr 06
