Presidential elections were held in Nigeria on June 12, 1993. The election came as the last phase of the transition programme of President Ibrahim Babangida, then military Head of State.
Here are 10 things you should know about the election:
1. It was, the first since the 1983 military coup.
2. It is till date considered the country’ freest and fairest election.
3. The election was contested between two parties; Socialist Democratic Party, SDP and National Republican Convention, NRC.
4. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was the candidate for SDP while Bashir Tofa represented the NRC at the election.
5. Abiola’s running mate was Baba Gana Kingibe while Sylvester Ugoh was Tofa’s running mate.
6. A total of 14,293,396 valid votes was recorded.
7. Social Democratic Party had 8,341,309 covering 58.36percent votes while National Republican Convention had 5,952,087, 41.64 percent of total valid votes.
8. The result was a victory for Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party, who defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.
9. The election was annulled by then military head of state; President Ibrahim Babangida
10. The annulment led to a crisis that ended with Sani Abacha heading a coup later in the year.
