The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republication Convention (NRC) were the two political parties that contested the 12 June 1993 presidential election (ARB June 1993, 11041; Country Reports1993 1994, 212; WA 7-13 June 1993, 947; ibid., 21 - 27 June 1993, 1032-1033; 28 June - 4 July 1993, 1078; 12 -18 July 1993). Chief Moshood Abiola was the SDP's presidential candidate and Bashir Tofa ran for the NRC (ibid). Sylvester Ugoh was Tofa's vice-presidential running mate while Chief Abiola's running mate was a former SDP chairman, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe (ARB June 1993, 11041; WA 7 - 13 June 1993, 947; ibid., 21 - 27 June 1993, 1032-1033).

Decree 13, the Basic Constitution and Provisions Decree, gave the National Electoral Commission (NEC) , under the chairmanship of political science professor, Humphrey Nwosu, "sweeping powers to disqualify a candidate" and "to postpone the election," and charged it with the responsibility of running the polls (WA 7-13 June 1993, 946). Consequently, the NEC made meticulous preparations in order to minimise irregularieties including setting up election criteria and procedures for the presidential candidates and voters (ibid.).

On 10 June 1993, an Abuja High Court served the NEC an injunction to stop it from conducting the election, pending settlement of a law suit brought against the NEC by the Association for a Better Nigeria (ABN). The NEC , under Decree 13, ignored the injunction and the election took place as scheduled on 12 June 1993 (ARB June 1993, 11041; WA 21 - 27 June 1993, 1033; ibid., 28 June - 4 July 1993, 1078).).

On 13 June, Professor Felix Iredia, the Chief Returning Officer, was charged with compiling the "results coming in from the states" (AFRB June 1993, 11041.). Interim results on 14 June 1993 showed Abiola leading with an overwhelming majority in 19 states while NRC had a clear majority in 11 states (AC 2 July 1993, 3; ARB June 1993, 11041; WA 21 - 27 June 1993, 1033).

On 16 June 1993, the NEC declared that it had decided not to release the final results of the 13 June 1993 presidential election 'until further notice,' as the ABN had once again taken the NEC to court, and as another Abuja High Court injunction had been served restraining the NEC from announcing the results (ibid.).

On 17 June 1993, following popular demands for the results, two court orders rreversed the NEC's decision not to publish the election results and a Lagos High Court judge, Justice Moshood Olugbani, ordered NEC to release the results within 24 hours (ibid.).

On 17 June 1993, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, the chairman of the CD issued NEC with an ultimatum to release the results within 24 hours or the CD would do so (ARB June 1993, 11041). Although the NEC's chairman was the only one originally authorized to declare the results (WA 7 - 13 June 1993, 946), on 18 June 1993, in defiance of NEC's decision not to publish the results, the CD released the election results and declared Moshood Abiola winner of the election. On the same day, Moshood Abiola reportedly "went on television to claim victory" (ibid.).

On 23 June 1993, however, the Abuja High Court declared the election "null and void" allegedly because the NEC had ignored its first injunction not to conduct the polls. On the same day, the government made an announcement cancelling the elections and suspending the NEC (AC 2 July 1993, 2; ARB June 1993, 11041; WA 12 - 18 July 1993, 1201.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Africa Confidential [London]. 2 July 1993. Vol. 34, No. 13. "Nigeria: Army Arrangements."

Africa Research Bulletin [Oxford]. June 1993. Vol. 30. No. 6. "Nigeria: Transition Crisis."

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1993. 1994. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Press.

West Africa [London]. 12 - 18 July 1993. "Disturbances in Lagos."

_____. 28 June - 4 July 1993. "Nigeria's Transition Crisis."

_____. 21 - 27 June 1993. "An Interim Sweep."

_____. 7 - 13 June 1993. "Democracy Beckons in Nigeria."