Regional/Cultural Day
Democracy Day
The anniversary of the 1993 presidential election, which was won by Moshood Abiola but annulled by the military government. The day is observed with ceremonies, and the reminder that democracy was won with blood, and it must be defended. The June 12 election is the freest and fairest in Nigerian history, and the annulment is the greatest betrayal of the Nigerian people. The day is both celebration and remembrance, and the names of the pro-democracy activists who died in the struggle are read aloud. Abiola himself died in custody in 1998, just days before he was to be released, and his death remains one of the great mysteries of Nigerian politics.
