National Democratic Coalition

The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) was formed on 15 May 1994 by a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats, who called on the military government of Sani Abacha to step down in favour of the winner of the 12 June 1993 election, M. K. O. Abiola. The members mostly came from several pro-democracy and activist groups located especially in Lagos, the southwest region of the country. They quickly became the symbol of mass resistance against military rule. On 11 June 1994, using the groundwork laid by NADECO, Abiola declared himself president and went into hiding. He reemerged and was promptly arrested on 23 June.