Nigerian Police Enforce Calm on Anniversary of Aborted Vote
Backed by tanks and helicopters, police and soldiers Monday kept a tight rein on Lagos to block any efforts to commemorate the anniversary of Nigeria’s last attempt at democracy.
Pro-democracy groups urged peaceful protests and a general strike to mark the second anniversary of aborted presidential elections, and the strike call appeared to have been widely observed.
The streets of Lagos, known for their nightmarish traffic jams, were nearly deserted and the central business district was quiet. Unlike Sunday, when police aggressively waved pistols in the faces of frightened motorists, the mood Monday was relaxed.
The June 12, 1993, election was Nigeria’s last attempt to end military rule. But the military rulers opposed the presumed winner, businessman Moshood Abiola, and refused to accept the outcome.
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