About The Republic Podcast

The Republic: A Podcast is a narrative podcast series exploring pivotal Nigerian and broader African historical events and figures. In the first season, host Wale Lawal traces the significance of the June 12 1993 election, 30 years on. June 12, which marked the political rise of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale ‘M. K. O.’ Abiola and culminated in his arrest and death, no longer feels inanimate. Why was it such a pivotal moment? What did it feel like to experience it? And why has it remained engrained in Nigeria’s political consciousness?

Read our introduction to Season 1. The first episode of The Republic will be released on 01 October 2023.

Trailer Description

In June 1993, after a keenly contested election, presidential candidate, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (also known as M. K. O. Abiola), secured popular votes enough to become Nigeria’s next president. In the weeks that followed, the military government under Ibrahim Babangida announced that the election had been annulled.

This decision, which spurred a series of events that culminated in the arrest and eventual death of M. K. O. Abiola, forever shaped the future of Nigeria’s democracy. Thirty years on, June 12 no longer feels inanimate. Why was it such a pivotal moment, what did it feel like to experience it and why has it remained engrained in Nigeria’s political consciousness?

In the first season of The Republic, host Wale Lawal traces the significance of the June 12 1993 election, 30 years on. You’ll hear about life in Nigeria under Ibrahim Babangida’s regime, the political rise of M. K. O. Abiola, the eventual election and sudden annulment, and the prolonged implications of June 12 for Nigeria’s democracy.

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