A coalition of civil society groups and residents in Osun State has called on the federal government to pay all presidential entitlements due to the family of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as a form of atonement for his sacrifice for democracy.
The demand was made during a Democracy Day solidarity walk organised in partnership with the Osun state government.
The walk, which drew a large turnout, proceeded from Old-Garage through Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, and Fakunle to the Old Governor’s Office, where a panel session was held.
Addressing journalists at the event, Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, praised Abiola’s commitment to democratic ideals and commended the Federal Government for recognising June 12 in his honour.
He insisted that Abiola’s family deserves to be compensated with all benefits due to a democratically elected president.
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“Abiola struggled and paid the ultimate price to entrench democracy in Nigeria,” Lawal said. “It would be unjust not to pay his family their entitlements. Doing so would be a symbolic act of atonement for the pain they endured.”
He also urged the Osun State Government to fulfil its promises of employing more teachers, creating job opportunities for youths, and strengthening security.
In a lecture delivered during the session, Comrade Lanre Arogundade noted that many of the issues Abiola campaigned against still persist, urging all levels of government to intensify efforts in delivering good governance to Nigerians.