Democracy day in Nigeria is a day set aside by the Nigerian Government to commemorate the beginning of Democratic governance in Nigeria away from the military regimes.
May 29, 1999 became the first Democracy day in Nigeria when the then Military head of state, General Abdusalami Abubakar bowed to pressure and instituted a democratic governance using a former military head of state in a Olusegun Obasanjo who won election from prison.
But Nigeria almost had what it would have called democracy on the 12th of June, 1992, when Moshood Abiola victory at a democratic poll was cancelled by the then military head of state, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida who rejected the polls.
The quest for true democracy away from the military rule began to raise questions on which day should be acknowledged as the true democracy day in Nigeria.
After a long debate at the Nations National Assembly, June 12 was approved to be the Nations democracy day owing to the event that transpired on the said date while 29th of may remain a national day for ceremonial commemorating the hand over day from military to democratic rule.
What then is the debate?
It is not clear whether the nation would mark Democracy day on June 12 and wait till after four years to commemorate the Hand-Over Day for a new administration to begin governance.
This has become a debate among the political class on which day is the true democracy day in Nigeria.
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