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Sanwo-Olu At June 12 Forum: ‘Time To De-emphasise Religion, Enthrone Competence In Politics’
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The nation celebrated Democracy Day on Monday.
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It was a day to commemorate the presumed election of the late MKO Abiola as Nigeria’s president on June 12, 1993.
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The Lagos governor led pro-democracy campaigners in tributes, wreath laying in honour of the late Abiola.
Eko Hot Blog reports that struggles led by pro-democracy activists three decades ago for the enthronement of civilian government in Nigeria echoed from the past, as the nation marked Democracy Day, on Monday.
In Lagos, the commemoration coincided with a two-day summit held in honour of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola — the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election adjudged to be the freest and fairest process in the nation’s political history.
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The ceremony, which marked the 30th anniversary since the annulment of the historic June 12 election, was held in the main hall of St. Leo Catholic Church in Ikeja, where 121 pan-Yoruba groups, under the aegis of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), gathered to reflect on the significance of the June 12 movement in contemporary struggle for political stability and sustenance of democracy in the country.
The special guest and Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said June 12 remained a watershed in the nation’s annals of democratic struggle, noting that citizens’ resistance, spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), came with devastating consequences, of which the late Abiola paid the supreme price.
Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said the ripple aftermath of the military’s opposition to the de-annulment of the election, had devastating effects on the social, economic and political fabric of the country.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, joined other pro-democracy figures at the June 12 forum
The governor said the election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima revived the spirit of June 12 and the hope that it signified, stressing the last presidential election de-emphasised the divisive issues of ethnicity and religion in leadership recruitment.
To sustain the spirit of June 12 and move the country forward, Sanwo-Olu said the country must discourage ethno-religious conversations in the political process, while espousing the value of purposeful leadership to tackle contemporary challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
Today, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of that historic election in the annals of our country, it is proper and necessary to pay glowing tribute to the memories of the symbol of that struggle. Chief MKO Abiola GCFR, his loving wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and all those who sacrificed their lives, including those Nigerians who were killed on Ikorodu Road in Lagos,” he said.
“We note the indelible efforts of frontline pro-democracy campaigners, both dead and alive, who were thorns in the flesh of the military despots that annulled the common will of the people. Many of these activists tasted brutality from the oppressors but refused to be cowed. Other paid supreme price and laid down their lives for the freedom we enjoy today.
“The victory of President Bola Tinubu and his vice, once again, reignited the spirit of June 12 and the hope it signifies by de-emphasising the divisive issues of ethnicity and religion in leadership recruitment.
“As we mark this day, I urge all Nigerians to remain steadfast in guarding our democracy as one great people with common destiny. We must keep our hope alive and have faith in the “Renewed Hope” being championed by the new administration.”
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, speaking at the June 12 forum
The President of AYDM, Adewale Adeoye, a pro-democracy activist, said the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election was a consequence of power struggle among the military oligarch, noting the event suppressed the aspirations of all ethnic groups in the country.
Adeoye, a CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year winner, said young Nigerians must be educated on the tyranny of the military regimes, stressing that the military rule must not be allowed again despite the imperfections of the democratic government in place.
Dr. Hamzat led pro-democracy campaigners to the residence of the late MKO Abiola in Ikeja to lay wreath on his tomb as a mark of tribute to his memory.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, led pro-democracy campaigners in wreath laying in honour of the late MKO Abiola
The activists were received by the late Abiola’s eldest daughter, Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor and Lekan Abiola.
FURTHER READING
Ayo Abiola, daughter, thanked Lagos State Government for the continuous honour of June 12.
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