The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari not to use the honour he conferred on the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola to show himself off as democrat.
In a statement today, Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP rejected the inclination by President Buhari to use the award to posture as a democrat and desperately seeking to garner votes ahead of 2019 presidential election.
The party insisted that bestowing a posthumous national award on Abiola did not make Buhari a democrat.
“Chief Abiola, in his life time, stood for personal liberty of citizens, particularly the right to aspire for any position, respect for constitutional order and principle of separation of powers.
“He also stood for national cohesion as well as a free press, all of which were upheld by the PDP.”
The party said that it is a fact that the freedoms are being trampled and strangulated.
“While the PDP congratulates the family of late Chief Abiola and other martyrs of democracy, we also remember the roles of late Sen. Abraham Adesanya, Bagauda Khalto, Dan Suleiman, Raph Obiorah, Alex Ibru and others.
“We remember the Management and Staff of the Concord, Guardian, Vanguard, Punch and other media houses, who suffered undue hardships for our nation to attain this democracy.”
It called on the Presidency to save the nation international opprobrium of attempting to use the event for “political capital’’ and to posture Buhari as a democrat.
A daughter of the late Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Chief MKO Abiola, Barrister Tundun Abiola, has given reason why former President Olusegun Obasanjo hates her father even long after he was dead.
She said:“Obasanjo and my father had a relationship then; so what happened in their lifetime continued even after my father was dead. He cannot bear the idea of Moshood Abiola, so he did not do it.”
Tundun, who is a lawyer, was, in an interview on Rubin Minds on Channels Television, reacting to the declaration of June 12 as the new Democracy Day and the posthumous award of GCFR conferred late MKO Abiola by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The late politician’s daughter said that she was not surprised that Obasanjo did not recognize her late father for his contributions to the nation’s development, saying: “when you know you were not elected, you know you were selected and just appointed president by the military, it is galling for him to have acknowledged a democratic process.
“Obasanjo was appointed the President; he was not elected President. We did not have any election in 1999, we had a coronation.”
She emphasized that Obasanjo was appointed by the then military regime to compensate the people of the South-West region for the death of her father – the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to allocate more oil blocks and appoint more people from the Niger Delta oil producing communities as a way of saving them from the present total estrangement. “We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to without delay, redirect a correction of the various imbalances of these very sensitive issues in the interest of equity, fairness and peace. We advocate strongly that there must be a deliberate review to involve qualified indigenes of the oil and gas host communities in top and middle level positions as well as in the allocation of oil blocsk/marginal fields in the oil and gas industry to host communities.
“As a consequence of Federal Government’s casual and lethargic approach, which some perceived as lack of commitment and seriousness to the immediate resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis, the patience of the youths and other critical stakeholders in the region was waning.
“More worrisome is the way the Federal Government has conducted appointments to positions in the management of the nation’s oil and gas sector, which is operated in our backyard. Nearly all the top and middle level positions in the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and its subsidiaries are manned mostly by northerners, rather than those from the areas.
“As it stands today, the oil producing communities of the Niger Delta are completely alienated. “A ready case in point is the composition of the nine-member NNPC Board, which Mr. President constituted in 2016, where the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who is chairman of the Board by virtue of his portfolio, and Dr. Thomas John, a former group managing director of NNPC from Cross River State, are the only members from the South-South. Six directors out of the nine, including the sitting Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, are from the Northern part of the country, which do not produce oil.
“To our utter dismay and rude shock, of the 55 top management staff of the NNPC made public in September 2017, only 19 are from the South, while over 36 are from the North, a non-oil producing zone. This was in the face of the protestations by the people of the Niger Delta over the obvious marginalization in the NNPC Board composition.
“Breakdown of another 41 top management staff positions of the NNPC made at the same time, showed that only five are from the Niger Delta region, while nine are from the other Southern divide, South West and South East zones, and the North has 27 positions. Does this depict an equal Nigeria? No. These actions are affronts on the sensibilities of the people of Niger Delta and indeed the people of southern Nigeria.
“Despite the neglect we suffer and the unnecessary provocations, the people of the Niger Delta region have remained committed to unity and oneness of Nigeria. Because we believe in the corporate existence of our great country, Nigeria, we are not asking for too much, all we are saying is that our people should maximally benefit from the resources from their land. “We had hoped and would endeavour to keep that hope alive that this administration of Mr. President is one that will do things differently in addressing the years of neglect and underdevelopment of the region.”
The Niger Delta leader asked Buhari “to give conscientious consideration to our reflections and requests, and act accordingly. If we fail to provide rational and realistic interventions, we leave room for decadents to further devise trajectories for unorthodox alterations. But if you act rightly and justly, your name would be written with golden inks not only in annals of history but also in hearts and minds of the people of Niger Delta.”
Former Lagos Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has attributed the cry by former President Olusegun Obasanjo over alleged plan to arrest and detain him by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to lot of atrocities he committed during his presidency of the country.
“He (Obasanjo) has ruled this country and committed a lot of atrocities, some of which border on criminality. For instance, many high profile murder of notable politicians occurred during his tenure and nothing was done to unravel such cases. For example, the Bola Ige murder case. Ige was Obasanjo’s minister of justice and attorney general who was assassinated in his home.”
Abubakar Tsav, who spoke to news men today, on Sunday in Makurdi, said: “former President Obasanjo is simply afraid of his shadow’’.
The outspoken former cop chief recalled what he called “high profile corruption cases like the $16 billion power contracts and Halliburton bribe scandal.
“OBJ is afraid that he might be required to explain his role in any of these. He is just pre-empting President Mohammadu Buhari here.
“If he believes that he is innocent, why is he crying out? He has stained his fingers and should subject himself for Police interrogation.”
Tsav, who is also the immediate past Federal Commissioner in the Public Complaint Commission (PCC), commended President Buhari for ordering the IGP to re-open the investigation of the late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige in 2016 adding that it was a right step in the right direction.
He said that throughout his 30 years in the criminal investigation department of the Police Force, he discovered that all criminal cases that governments were interested in the culprits were never arrested non justice served.
“I have served the nation in the Nigeria Police Force for 35years, three quarters of which was in Criminal Investigation Department in all levels of the Force. “I do know as a matter of fact that, any major crime in which the government is interested, the perpetrators will never be found or arrested neither will they be brought to justice.
“The murder of Chief Bola Ige, the Nation’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice is one of such cases. Or how else can one explain the clinical and gruesome murder of a whole Minister of Justice of the Federation and yet no one will be arrested and brought to justice? This is too glaring.”
He warned governors and other leaders across the country to stop using their present positions to commit all manner of atrocities and trying to cover same by using their positions, stressing that at the right time they will never escape God’s justice.
“Those leaders at all levels of Government who believe that they can use their positions and power to commit heinous crimes and use the same positions to evade justice, must realise that they may escape man’s justice but they shall never escape God’s justice.”
Abubakar Tsav advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to use his best and incorruptible detectives to expose the murderers of Bola Ige and many Nigerians who were callously murdered by these nests of murderers masquerading as Leaders. [myad]
Nigeria’s reggae music maestro, Ras Kimono is dead. He died last night (Saturday) at Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi where he was transferred ahead of his scheduled medical trip to the United States of America.
Ras Kimono, a Delta born musician whose real name is Ukeleke Onwubuya died barely three weeks after he celebrated his 60th birthday. He was rushed to a private hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, before being taken to Lagoon Hospital in the Island.
He was famed for his peculiar reggae music fused with thick African beat and rhythm. He was noted for the hit singles ‘Under pressure’ and ‘We no want.’
Legendary Sir Shina Peters and other members of the Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) have since confirmed the death.
Kimono was the rave among the youths in the 1990s, especially with his brand of reggae and his dance style which held a massive appeal to the youths.
He laced his lyrics with Jamaican Patois.
In 1989, he and his band group, Massive Dread Reggae Band, released an album titled: Under Pressure, the lyrics of which are still relevant till date. [myad]
The Presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa, who contested the June 12, 1993 election with Chief MKO Abiola, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has complained that he too should be conferred with the same Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) as has been done on late Abiola.
“There are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of GCFR, if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice. As much as I appreciate the goodwill, in this circumstance, however, I have to say that I would not accept it as it is, even if given.”
In a statement he personally issued today, Sunday, Bashir Tofa complained that the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to honour late Abiola and many leaders of the SDP was lopsided, adding that although the president had the right to honour whomsoever he felt should, he needed to be fair.
“While I do not begrudge the President his power to bestow favour on whomsoever he pleases, it is also important, especially for history, for all actions from the highest authority in the country to be based on fair play and law…
“Meanwhile, whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.”
Read the full text of Bashir Tofa’s statement:
“In the Holy Name of God, The Merciful.
“Following the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to honour my late friend, Alhaji Mashood K. Abiola (may Allah grant him peace) and officially recognise him as the winner of the inconclusive 12th June 1993 presidential election in which I was a candidate, I have been inundated by calls from friends, well-wishers, former political associates and journalists.
“While some worry about the brazen one-sidedness of this curious presidential action, especially given the list of invitees to Tuesday’s event at the Villa supposedly to mark ‘Democracy Day’, there are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of GCFR, if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice. As much as I appreciate the goodwill, in this circumstance, however, I have to say that I would not accept it as it is, even if given.
“While I do not begrudge the President his power to bestow favour on whomsoever he pleases, it is also important, especially for history, for all actions from the highest authority in the country to be based on fair play and law. Needless to say, being one of the two presidential candidates in that election does not in any way define me or my achievements in life; it was not even the most important one.
“However, as I have reiterated many times in the past, I am grateful to the numerous Nigerians from across the length and breadth of the country who made enormous sacrifices in the National Republican Convention (NRC) as well as the millions of our citizens who voted for both the late Abiola and myself in that historic election.
“Much more importantly, I am most grateful to Almighty God for the several Honours He has bestowed on me; all of which have enriched my life. As for my friend, M. K. O. Abiola, what he needs most is our sincere prayers for Allah’s mercy and the gift of Paradise for him. While some of us cherish his memory as a departed friend and compatriot, there are many who will continue to exploit it and to glory in it for their own benefits.
“For those who may have forgotten or never knew, the late Abiola was a close personal friend of mine, a relationship dating back to the Second Republic when I was the National Financial Secretary of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and he was the Ogun State Chairman of the party. So, I do not in any way begrudge him the post-humous honour, even when I insist that the right thing must be done at all times.
“Meanwhile, whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.
“Finally, like all, I am also travelling on the path prepared for me by God Almighty. He controls my destiny and I pray He will continue to favour and to guide me. All Power belongs to Him alone. He gives it to whom He pleases and He Has Power over all things, including every ambition.
“May The Almighty, in whose Hands lie our destinies keep our beloved country and peoples together in unity, peace and prosperity.
“LONG LIVE THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.” [myad]
An old Chinese proverb says: Do good, reap good; do evil, reap evil. This short proverb sums the intensity of attacks against President Muhammadu Buhari, not leaving the ratcheting up of violence in some the States after a period of relative calm, in the wake of the political tsunami honouring the heroes of June 12, 1993 presidential election, which was annulled thus preventing the widely-acclaimed winner, Chief M.K.O Abiola (of blessed memory) from taking office as the President of Nigeria.
Even at that time, it was pretty obvious that the unjust annulment was a huge elite conspiracy, well beyond the schemes and machinations, for which the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida had established a formidable reputation.
June 12 annulment was inspired and supported in spirit, cash and in kind by high-level citizens who saw an opportunity for themselves and cashed in upon it.
Beyond the coterie of two dozen or so military officials whose names have been documented as literally having had a gun to the head of their Commander-in-Chief in trying to induce the annulment, there were tens, possibly hundreds of co-conspirators who either forced the annulment in one way or the other, or joined the sustenance of the injustice done to Abiola and Nigerian voters which, from then evolved into an industry of a kind, supplying incomes and conferring privileges of state upon those in the plot.
Many have forgotten by now that an interim government was contemplated at that time and a number of retired army generals were on queue, having been invited to get ready to head it. There was the foremost social scientist of the Yoruba stock who prophesied to the then rulers, on the day the announcement of election results was suspended that “the Yoruba will not be angry with the Head of State if he will go ahead to annul the election.” Then he did it.
In the media, there were many who conspired against the June 12, including the publisher who told their editors not to “lose your heads over this June 12. After all, was it not Abiola who thwarted the ambitions of …?”
In the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE where I was one of the three Vice Presidents at that time, rising to become the full occupant of the office a few years later, we had our own battles. For example, when Vanguard newspaper correctly quoted me as asking that Abiola be freed or, in the least be tried in court because detention without trial, even under the military was wrong, newspapers, both of them now out of print circulation, the New Nigerian (which still maintains an online presence) and Today, lambasted me for expressing that view. Their editors, themselves members of the executive committee of the NGE said in a counter statement that those views were not of the Guild since, as they said, the organization hadn’t met to take a position on the matter.
If you are counting the large number of Nigerians united by that annulment, and who must now be very, very angry with President Buhari for righting that wrong which nourished them, one must not leave out the men and women in the temple of justice who used one subterfuge or the other to keep June 12 buried and its biggest symbol, MKO Abiola in detention until his end came (or was induced). Naturally, there is also the fear of the unknown. What will come after this?
Remember that since the incident took place, no past administration in 25 years has asked the question, why was the election annulled? Who annulled it? What were the consequences? Beyond Abiola and his late wife Kudirat, how many people did the nation lose? In terms of the economy, how much was lost? How much of a dislocation was it, socially, politically and internationally? Overall, how much damage did it cause the nation?
Now would there be an inquisition into all of the things that happened? I have not been briefed if there is going to be any. Neither have I heard of any discussions on this. I cannot, therefore, speculate.
Should anyone be afraid? Our very erudite and sharp minister, Lai Mohammed said no Nigerian should fear for their rights under President Buhari, unless they are guilty of wrongdoing. I haven’t still mastered the art of predicting army Generals, not even this one. On this question, only the President can say “yes” or “no” if there will be a probe as many have begun clamouring for.
Understandably, anger against the new Democracy Day and honour to Abiola in a few quarters, the intensity of attack on President’s person would mount as the momentum he gains becomes manifest, even as we recognize that the opposition had been gearing up for offensive towards 2019 elections.
In normal times, even before the shocking master stroke honouring Abiola, President Buhari is a leader who had not been in the good reckoning of a powerful, very vocal section of the country’s elite. The reason is basically that they would lose when you put in place corruption-free governance, institute economic growth with special focus on farmers, and a strong drive for inclusiveness particularly regarding women and marginalised sections.
The Buhari Administration has annoyed these groups by putting in place long neglected infrastructure, establishing a social welfare scheme, the Social Investment Programme targeted at the basic needs of the common citizens and has given the country a major jump in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings.
Railways and federal roads are being rehabilitated and new ones, including a standard gauge rail are being put in place to bring better and more efficient transportation services. Power generation and distribution have more than doubled with many consumers reporting 16-17 hours and in some parts of the country, actually enjoying up to 22-23 hours of power supply a day.
Foreign relations have improved and the awesome investments in defence and security sectors are paying off through peaceful economic activity in the Niger Delta and the on-going restoration of normalcy in the northeast and north central states.
President Buhari’s journey to the Presidential Villa had been long and tortuous– having contested three times and ended with appeals at the Supreme Court before he was fourth time lucky. A candidate many had taken as the unlikely one considering that he had been a man who is separate from the political establishment. That he emerged at the contest as winner was itself enough to rattle the political elite.
In trying to explain the gush of criticism and increasing resort to blackmail by those who have lost out under this honest man of humble origins, and frank dispositions, who has succeeded so far in running a clean government, it is important to note that these are qualities that only a few Nigerian politicians possess.
To borrow the words of another writer, “bitterness is inevitable for those who have been pampered and coddled and suddenly the suckling tit is removed from them and they become ordinary citizens without anything “special” or appropriating disproportionate political clouts.’’
If you read the history of our country, hardly do we have the top elite joining hands for the good of the nation. While Buhari’s tsunami on June 12 has stoked the anger and the fear of this group, the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day and the conferment of National Honours on MKO, his running mate Ambassador Kingibe and the foremost pro-democracy activist, late Gani Fawehinmi was, in another breath, greeted with great enthusiasm and warmth by Nigerians, most especially on the social media.
Barely after 48 hours by my count, there were over 150,000 Tweets on Twitter Trend discussing the new Presidential directive. Thankfully and expectedly, over 80% of these Tweets and reactions hailed Mr. President’s decision.
In what could be described as a twist, many of such applauses came from well-known opposition voices like Femi Fani Kayode (@realffk) amongst others.
The story on Facebook was not an exception. Nigerians were thankful to President Buhari for upholding Democracy and staging a surprise when it was least expected.
Below are compilations of some of the Tweets from Nigerians, hailing Mr. President’s directive.
@Busayo: Effects of PMB Declaration on #June12
Heroes of Democracy have been honoured & recognized
Injuries caused by IBB annulment start to heal
Those that have apathy for Democracy and voting as a result of annulment have been convinced to participate
It is a masterstroke
@TheNationNews:June 12: NUPENG commends Buhari for honouring MKO, others
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for officially announcing June 12 as the new Democracy Day in…
@Yinkanubi: I must confess that I didn’t see this coming. But with the stroke of his pen @MBuhari just did to MKO and his legacy what the man that claimed to be his friend and the one that claimed to be his kinsman could not do – Give him his due worth. #June12 #ThankYouMrPresident
@MP_Muye: FUTURE QUIZ QUESTIONS FOR OUR KIDS.
When is Democracy Day? – #June12
Who declared it? – President Buhari
Who finally honoured MKO Abiola GCFR? – President Buhari.
Who started the honouring process? – President Buhari. #PMBStartedIt, #PMBFinishedIt
Best President? – PMB. ✅
@AsiwajuOladimej: Whether what PMB did on June 12 is political or not, the most important thing is that, MKO Abiola has finally been honoured. #June12
@Iameneji: I can’t even describe how I feel today with this masterstroke from PMB
By 1pm, Saturday #June12, 1993, I have started dancing because results have started trickling in. Then evil struck!!!! I am always very emotional about Gani Fawehinmi. He radicalized me. I feel elated now
@ChangeHasComee: It is a welcome development. This is what we have been waiting for over the years. Good Nigerians have made several calls for Chief M K O Abiola to be recognised as a Nigerian President. For this government to have done this, it is a welcome gesture — Mohammed Fawehinmi #June12
@mrbhiyi: Buhari’s greatest weapon might be his not talking too much. All those accusing him of being a dullard should have a re-think. That #June12 card is an Ace. Especially at this crucial period. Like @OmoGbajaBiamila said, it is a well weighed through pass to South West
@Rouvafe: Kudos to Buhari for honouring M.K.O Abiola with that post-humours GCFR Award & officially announcing #June12 as Democracy Day. Few people are this benevolent in their last days in office.
@abdulljalo: Whether the president’s decision was politically motivated is discussion for another day. Let’s permit the families and supporters of the victims of that great injustice bask in the joy of justice served to their loved ones. Congratulations to family of Late Abiola, GCFR #June12
@afroconomist: The recent announcement by @MBuhari led govt by moving democracy day from May 29 to June 12 is a very plausible one which in fact has brought up several sides to the coin. Here’s a few things you need to know about the day. #Thread #Threads #RT #June12 #June12DemocracyDay
@ClaraCharles021: When is Democracy Day? – #June12, Who declared it? – President Buhari, Who finally honoured MKO Abiola GCFR? – President Buhari, Who started the honouring process? – President Buhari. #PMBStartedIt, #PMBFinishedIt
@akinscarce001: The posthumous award of GCFR to the late Aare Ona Kankanfo, Bashorun M.K.O Abiola and declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day in his honour. Today I am a proud Egba man. I am a proud Nigerian. Talk your own. #June12
@justemdee: About the new Democracy Day changed to #June12 from May 29th by @MBuhari. This is not about the 2019 Elections or the Yorùbás, it’s about Nigeria and Nigerians. If you ask me, it’s a CEMENT to the foundation of DEMOCRACY in Nigeria.
@BashirElrufai: The re-scheduling of Democracy Day to its rightful place of June 12 is fitting, fortuitous & apt as no democratic ideals were ever truly served on May 29 prior to 2015. Sai Baba.
@DeeOneAyekooto: Generations unborn will ask” Why is June12 our Democracy Day”. An election that sidelined tribe & religion, Abiola won, IBB annulled, Abacha stole, Abiola was killed for, OBJ inherited, PDP refused to recognize for 16yrs but Which PMB put in its rightful place in history on June 6, 2018.
@etinmagbe: I’m still over the moon on the June 12 Democracy Day declaration! Thanks @MBuhari for making this right after 25 years!
@raufaregbesola: President Buhari has secured for himself an incomparable position in history for surmounting the courage to take this historic step of recognising June 12 as ‘Democracy Day’ and honouring Chief Moshood Abiola posthumously.
@realffk (Femi Fani Kayode): I commend @MBuhari for announcing June 12th as our new Democracy Day. This is long overdue and I am pleasantly surprised. I also commend him for honoring Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12th 1993 presidential election, with the posthumous award of GCON. This is great news!
@MaupeO (Maupe Ogun): This is more than BREAKING NEWS! June 12 now democracy day!!!…(In Lucky Dube’s song…If I’m dreaming…don’t wake me uppppp)…
@akinalabi: Whether you like it or not, it was a great move by the President to change the Democracy day from May 29 to June 12 and also for posthumously honouring MKO. You are probably worried because his PR has risen and your man would likely lose to him.
@iSlimfit: June 12 declared as Democracy Day. Finally, Chief MKO Abiola got his well-deserved recognition. This is not about the Yorubas. This is celebration of a National Hero who won a free and fair election but was cheated.
@walekareem: Nothing but praises for @MBuhari for honouring June 12 – real democracy day- and the memories of Chief MKO Abiola
@tosinadeda: Honouring MKO Abiola is long overdue; it’s a great move for someone who paid the sacrifice for democracy, BUT…….But what? You are upset because the man you hate is the one that made such a move, & and it’s somehow giving your headaches. Purge your soul.
I have nothing to add, in concluding this short piece than to call attention of those who annulled the election and all those that helped to sustain the injustice to yet another old Chinese proverb: all relationships have happy endings; if not happy, then it is not the end.
The resurrection of June 12 in the beginning of a new chapter in the annals of Nigerian history. How this will end, it is premature to say.
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity wrote in from Abuja. [myad]
The governments of the six South-west states have declared Tuesday, June 12 as a public holiday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the annulled 1993 Presidential election adjudged to have been won by the late Aare Onakakanfo of oruba land, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. The states are Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Oyo.
In Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said that the recent decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare June 12 as the new democracy day would ensure that late Abiola and other martyrs of democracy who laid down their lives in the struggle to entrench good governance did not do so in vain.
“No matter how long you try to hide history, history will always reveal itself with a true platform.”
In a statement signed by Tunji Bello, the secretary to the state government, Ambode said: “so, we know that is one very important singular step as we go forward to build an enduring democracy. And for all democrats in this country, we are excited that we are moving in the right direction.
“It also affirms that Nigeria can get it right if we begin to put things in the right perspective and work for the general good of the greater number of people. That is the true essence of democracy.
“For us in Lagos, June 12 is not just a day to remember, it is a rallying point for those of us in service that we must continuously strive to entrench true democracy and good governance which is what Chief MKO Abiola totally exemplified.”
Also, the OgunState government announced June 12 as a work-free day to enable the residents mark the Democracy Day and celebrate the recent conferment of a posthumous national honour on late Abiola.
This is even as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said that the day would be celebrated with a town hall assembly at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome) in Akure.
“All civil servants, market women, artisans, politicians, clergymen, students and Ondo State residents from all walks of life are invited to be part of the historic gathering in honour of M.K.O Abiola, winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election,” the governor said in a statement signed by Yemi Olowolabi.
“It promises to be a riveting event with extensive focus on June 12: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.”
The town hall assembly, the statement said, would be anchored by Kayode Fayemi, a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development and former Governor of Ekiti State.
Other members of the panel of discussants at the special Assembly include Dare Babarinsa, founding Executive Editor of TELL Magazine; Odia Ofeimun, renowned Poet; and Ifeanyi Odili, National Secretary of Campaign for Democracy amongst other pro democracy activists.
The Osun State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Obawale Adebisi said in a statement today, Saturday that the public holiday is in line with a policy of the state to observe June 12 as democracy day every year.
“Aregbesola’s stance on June 12 as democracy day had been justified by President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of the day as Nigeria’s democracy day instead of May 29,” Mr Adebisi said.
“We also commend the President for honouring Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election with a posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
“The state government of Osun commends the President on this righteous step of honouring June 12 and key players of the 1993 presidential election, 25 years after.
“The Government of the State of Osun has, therefore, declared Tuesday, June 12 a public holiday.”
In Ekiti, Governor Ayo Fayose announced via his official Twitter handle that the state would continue in its tradition of honouring late Abiola with a public holiday.
Fayose said that MKO Abiola is worthy to be honoured “and we in Ekiti honoured him with a public holiday on June 12, 2017. We will do it again this year. However, the greatest honour anyone can bestow on MKO Abiola is total respect for the rule of law and conduct of free,fair & credible elections.”
In Oyo State, the media assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Bolaji Tunji, said that the state would also declare June 12 a public holiday.
Former governor of Cross River state, Donald Duke has declared his intention to run for the Presidency in the 2019 Presidential election.
He made this known yesterday, Friday, while speaking at the annual Law dinner of the University of Nigeria, Anambra State.
Donald Duke said that although he had not chosen political platform on which he will contest but that he is convinced that it is time to make a move towards addressing Nigeria’s clear and present danger.
Senator Shehu Sani, representing Kaduna-central in the red chamber of the National Assembly has said that some of those who have been invited to Abuja, to be honoured along with late MKO Abiola are judases of June 12 struggle.
Reacting to invitation by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha extended to notable June 12 heroes, Senator Shehu Sani emphasized that most of the invitees betrayed MKO Abiola during June 12 struggle.
“Some of those invited and honored by the villa in the name Abiola or June 12 were people who betrayed Abiola and abandoned the struggle even when chief MKO was alive, others even disowned, condemned and denied him in his hours of need. There are judases of June 12 now honoured in the name of Abiola.
He said that the timing of the award gives room for concerns and suspicion of a political undertone.
“The recognition accorded to Chief MKO Abiola and the June 12 struggle by the PMB administration is commendable. It’s long overdue. PMB has done what many of his predecessors failed to do.”
“However, the timing of the recognition in an election year raised issues that the recognition was not without motive. It is a Golden box of honour containing a note of electoral expectation from the South west.
“Honoring June 12 is appreciated but exploiting Abiola’s name for 2019 election will splash oil on the pearl.
“The greatest honour the government can do to the spirit of June 12 is to habitually respect the rights of Nigerians to differ and to dissent without persecution, obey court orders and prosecute the war against corruption without discrimination.
“Honoring democracy heroes will make no meaning if we don’t live up to the principles and noble ideals they were identified with and upon which they lived and sacrificed their lives for.
“Honoring Chief MKO Abiola and the June 12 struggle shouldn’t be the only reason the south west or any other part of Nigeria should re elect the Present Government; the government must strive hard to end the mindless bloodshed and violence in the country and must respect the rule of law and rid itself of budding autocratic tendencies.
“There is the need for the National Democratic Coallition, NADECO, to reconvene immediately to guide the President and the Parliament on how best to honour theJune 12 struggle, to avoid the coronation of traitors along with heroes.”
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