JUNE 12 still stands even if it is as a fading political momentum. More than half the population of Nigerians younger than 30 do not know much about the election, in 1993, which Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola won but the military annulled. It remains one of the most tumultuous moments in the past 20 years.

Nigeria was at the verge of another civil war. The annulment created political uncertainties that pushed the country around for six years. Nationwide strikes, civil disobediences, an interim government and General Sani Abacha’s November 1993 coup were some initiatives to resolve the impasse. Each move worsened things.

Abiola publicly staked a claim to his victory when he declared himself president in Epe-tedo, a square on Lagos Island on 12 June 1994. He was detained until he died, in detention, on 8 July 1998, after meeting a US delegation.

His death, a month after Abacha’s, further complicated matters. General Abdulsalami Abubakar who succeeded Abacha was apparently preparing to release Abiola. A one-year transition programme to civilian governance made Chief Olusegun Obasanjo president. Throughout his eight years in office, he ignored June 12, though it is debateable if he would have been president without Abiola’s sacrifice.

Another tragedy for Abiola was on 4 June 1996 when gunmen killed his wife Kudirat, an ardent supporter of his claim to the presidency and a rallying point for the mounting opposition against Abacha. The matter is still in court.

The six states the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, controls – Edo, Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun,  Osun, Oyo – will honour Abiola with a public holiday. President Goodluck Jonathan retreated after criticisms of his move last year to re-naming the University of Lagos after Abiola, it was the closest to a national recognition of the man whose death hastened the return to civilian rule.

Lessons about June 12 are few, and fewer are those willing to learn them. The supposed free and fair elections are celebrated as if there were no precedents. Political forces that freely infringe in others’ spaces are still doing good business, expecting no opposition.

Elsewhere June 12’s place in history:

Russian Day, to mark the 1990 declaration of sovereignty of Russia from the crumbling Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR.

It is the 115th Independence Day anniversary of the Philippines.

Can June 12 be resolved without an official position on the result of the presidential election of June 12? Will Abiola be honoured, recognised as elected president?

The main tragedy of June 12 is the expectation that it would be forgotten. We offered the civil war similar treatment, leaving us with a disjointed history of Nigeria – nations do not ignore their milestones.