Citizens Extol Abiola's
Virtues On June 12
From Muyiwa Adeyemi (Lagos),
Charles Coffie-Gaymfi (Abeokuta)
Seun Adeoye (Osogbo)
MAJORITY of Nigerians yesterday relived the memories of the June
12 1993 election with the verdict that the real Democracy Day is today and not the government-imposed May 29 Democracy Day.
They also poured accolades and encomiums on the symbol of June 12, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, whom they described as a hero of democracy, who fought gallantly to free the citizens from the shackles of opposition.
Abiola who contested the June 12 1993 presidential election and was believed to have won the polls died in detention on July 7, 1998.
He was clamped into detention as he fought to claim his mandate which was truncated by the Ibrahim Bababgida-led administration.
Also, the Lagos State government has declared today as "Democracy Day" against May 29 adopted by the Federal Government.
According to the statement by the state government, Governor Bola Tinubu, "there can certainly be no more authentic date than June 12 in our history to celebrate the values and ideals of Democracy."
Governor Tinubu recalled:"Eleven years ago, over 14 million Nigerians trooped to the polls to participate in the fairest and freest election ever in the country's history."
He said the voting cut across divisive, ethnic, religious and regional barriers and over eight million Nigerians gave a clear verdict and elected Chief MKO Abiola as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He recalled that Abiola won a decisive victory in 28 states, more that 20 required by the constitution.
According to Tinubu: "our victory song was however, turned to ashes in our mouths when the sovereign will of the people was unjustifiably annulled by the military.
Tinubu also paid tributes to heroes and heroines of democracy specifically Chief MKO Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane, General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, Ken Saro-Wiwa and several other people who paid the supreme price.
He however called for the adoption of true federalism which can ensure "the chances of economic recovery and prosperity in the country. He also advocated for the adoption of the Option A4 electoral system which he said could ensure that all future elections genuinely reflect the will of the electorate.
Speaking on the anniversary the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel advised indigenes of his state to re-dedicate themselves to the building of a truly democratic nation devoid of ethnic rancour, political violence and religious bitterness.
The governor believes that is the only way to ensure that those who fought and lost their lives during the June 12 struggle did not die in vain.
Recalling the June 12 1993 episode which nearly, brought the country to its knees, Daniel insisted that it was clear from earlier results from the presidential election that Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the polls across ethnic, religious and political divides.
However, the military high command annulled the election, an action that precipitated, perhaps the greatest political crisis in the history of modern Nigeria," the governor said in a statement signed by the state Information Commissioner, Mr. Niran Malaolu.
He insisted that even after his death on July 7, 1998, Abiola remains Nigeria's beacon of true democracy and a watershed that shows that Nigerians in spite of the many things that divide them can still speak with one voice.
According to Daniel, without Abiola and other true democrats who fought for the actualisation of democracy in Nigeria, the current democratic dispensation wouldn't have been a reality.
In the same vein, the traditional ruler of Gbagura, where Abiola hailed from, Oba Halidu Laloko who spoke to The Guardian insisted that Abiola should not be forgotten in haste.
In the same vein the former Finance Minister, Dr. Onalapo Soleye in his own view stated that the image of June 12 was too large to be swept under the carpet, disclosing that plans were underway to immortalise Abiola.
The Egba monarch, Oba Oyebade Lipede said he was glad that Nigeria had not forgotten June 12. Describing the late Abiola as a great democrat and philanthropist, he urged his children to emulate him. Nigerians have also been reminded not to forget the historical importance of June 12 in the political journey of this country.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Osu, director of Social Communication of Lagos Archdiocese made this call in Lagos while commenting on the state of the nation.
He declared: "It appears those in power have been carried away by the "goodies" of incumbency and have forgotten how they got into office.
"The way our rulers are toying with the country's democracy suggests that they have forgotten the sweat and lives that went into June 12, adding "without June 12 and its heroes, we may not be breathing the fresh air of democracy in the country now."
He called on those enjoying the dividends of democracy now to immortalise the names of those who went down in the June 12 struggle especially Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
Osu warned that history and future generations would not forgive those who deliberately block the names of the June 12 heroes.
Meanwhile, as the eleventh anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election is being marked today, a widow of the acclaimed winner of the election, Mrs. Teju Abiola has stated that the reason for her late husband joining politics
was to free Nigerians from the "claws" of poverty.
She spoke exclusively to The Guardian during her visit to Osogbo, Osun State capital for a lecture on Democracy organized by Democracy Sustenance Initiative (DSI).
"The purpose of my husband joining politics was to make conscious effort to change this country", she said.
Osu warned that history and future generations would not forgive those who deliberately blot the names of the June 12 heroes.
