A former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mike Igini, has accused the judiciary of playing a critical role in the subversion of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, warning that Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without courts committed to defending the rule of law.
Speaking at the National Democracy Discourse themed, “Re-enacting the Credibility of the June 12 Elections in Nigeria: 2027,” held on Friday in Lagos, Igini said judicial interventions before and after the historic election contributed significantly to its eventual annulment.
The discourse was convened by the Movement for Credible Elections in conjunction with the June 12 Pro Democracy Movement of Nigeria, as part of events marking this year’s Democracy Day.
According to Igini, despite provisions of the electoral decree in force at the time expressly barring courts from stopping the conduct of elections, some judges entertained suits that undermined the process.
“The judiciary played a terrible role in subverting June 12,” he said.
