The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Democracy Day

  • June 12 as Democracy Day excites activists

    Pro-democracy forces, statesmen, politicians and other stakeholders yesterday eulogised President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising June 12 as ‘Democracy Day,’ instead of May 29, which is Inauguration Day.

    Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi said the President’s action showed that he is sensitive to public opinion.

    He said: “The recognition was done in recognition of the fact that the June 12, 1993 presidential election was the most credible election, whereby a Muslim/Muslim ticket was endorsed by Nigerians.”

    Fasanmi recalled that the symbol of the struggle, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, and his running mate on the platform of the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, won the poll because they were popular.

    He added: “It was the most democratic election in Nigeria. The result was symbolic and it must be acknowledged. Rigging did not happen at that time. I am in support of the recognition of the idea that votes must count. There was no bribery and vote buying on June 12, 1993. They won on merit. There was no tribal sentiment.

    “I did not know why Babangida annulled the election. Abiola is dead, but he deserves the honour. He was not sworn in. But, God has sworn him in as president of Nigeria.”

    Former Secretary to Military Government and prominent member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Chief Olu Falae applauded the decision, saying that it was a right step in the right direction.

    He said: “It is a welcome development. We thank God that the president has finally seen the light and acknowledged what some of us fought for many years ago.”

    Falae, Olu of Ilu-Aabo, Akure, spoke on the cost and consequence of the epic struggle, lamenting that it led to harassment, humiliation, repression, detention of pro-democracy elements and exile.

    He stressed: “I hope the real heroes of democracy will be acknowledged as time goes on. The heroes are Gen. Alani Akinrinade, who had to leave the country, Bola Tinubu, Chief Anthony Enahoro, John Odigie-Oyegun who went on exile, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and myself, who was sent to NADECO abroad to settle quarrels among our members. I was arrested and detained. My friend, Fredrick Fasehun, was detained, and his hands were chained in detention.”

    Second Republic Governor Balarabe Musa of Kaduna State said the decision has met the expectation of progressive forces, particularly those who fought for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993 election result.

    Alluding to the significance of the historic poll, he said not only was the exercise unifying, but it also erases the feeling of religious differences among Nigerians.

    Musa added: “This is a welcome development. All progressives agree with that and commend Buhari for making June 12 Democracy Day. It was the day Nigerians put aside all superficial differences to vote for a candidate of their choice. It is unlike May 29 when they gave power to Obasanjo. June 12 is the people’s day. We will all celebrate it on June 12. We expect the president to make a great statement on that day.”

    Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abubakar Tsav, said it is a good development that would help to unite all Nigerians. He said: “It is a very good development in recognition of the sacrifice of the late Moshood Abiola who won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, when Nigerians spoke with one voice. With this declaration, President Buhari wants to unite Nigerians; he wants to assuage the feelings of those who feel cheated by the annulment of that election. This is good.”

    Socio-political activist and the President of Core Caucus, a socio-political group, Prof Dele Fapohunda, also sees it as a welcome development.  His words: “It is a welcome development and a recognition of the fact that there was a day in this country when everybody agreed that an election that was free and fair was held.

    “It was a day everybody agreed that the issue of division along ethnic and religious lines was nullified. There was nothing like division during that election and even during the electioneering campaign. Everybody appeared to be on the same page when it comes to acceptance, recognition and respect for that day. So, I am not surprised.”

    Fapounda, who is also the Dean, School of Science and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, said the declaration of June 12 as ‘Democracy Day’ could help to inspire young Nigerians. He said: “I want Nigerians to keep on respecting that day so that it will serve as a form of inspiration to younger ones to embrace civil rule and civil conduct in every form of association and aspiration in life.”

    A former Vice President of the African Development Bank (ADB), Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, said if the declaration would help to institutionalise democracy and good governance, then it would have served a purpose.

    Ogunjobi said the declaration is an indication that Nigerians have accepted that democracy is the way to go. His words: “I think for the first time, all those who fought for or against June 12 now have a common understanding. It is an acceptance by almost everybody now that democracy is the way to go.”

    The former ADB stalwart said the declaration is also significant in the sense that June 12 would now be a national public holiday. He said: “In the past, it is not in every state that it was accepted as a public holiday. Now it has become a national public holiday. So, irrespective of your leaning, the day is now an official public holiday for all Nigerians. I think this is very significant.”

    Read also: Tinubu hails Buhari for making June 12 Democracy Day

    The Southeast Secretary of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), a non-governmental organisation, Dr Jerry Chukwuokolo, said President Buhari is playing to the gallery and trying to legitimise his hold on power.

    Chukwuokolo said: “I sincerely do not see anything spectacular about that. First of all, Mr President was part of those who annulled that election. He used the issue of June 12 as a strategy to win the recent election, which is normal. But, at the same time, I don’t think there is anything special about that declaration, because the man is not an avowed democrat – he is not even a democrat at all, let alone being an avowed democrat. What is that whitewashing that he is trying to do?

    “As far as I am concerned, he is just trying to hold on to power by all means. The election may have been won and lost, but the processes that led to the winning or losing of the contest are extremely important. What thing that is definite is that the country will never be the same again. As far as I am concerned, this issue is beyond winning and losing the election. The issues are that somebody has acted out a script and an unimaginable level of deceit.”

    Senator Okunrounmu, a former Secretary of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, said: “I understand that the President will be sworn in on May 29, the governors will be sworn in on the same day. So, there is nothing that is left out of the previous activities.

    “The only thing left is the holy day which most of the Southwest states have been observing in the past. There is nothing left to be done on June 12 apart from observing the holiday which we have always been doing. So, nothing has really happened apart from merely not observing the holiday on May 29.”

    Afenifere chieftain Chief Ayo Adebanjo said: “I have no misgiving about June 12 as democracy day that is the way to go. That is to slow down the agitations. If the government is serious, the President should do what is needful to make federalism work. I don’t believe he has done right by some of his actions and I am not interested in the comment about whether he did well by recognizing June 12 as democracy day.

    “There are germane issues that need to address which he has not done. What about people who are put behind bars without trial. What about not obeying court orders? These are not part of what M.K.O Abiola stood for and I am talking about reality. Abiola stood for the rule of law and transparency.

    “He should do what is expected for the people, he should give the people what they want. We supported him in 2007 because he wanted our votes and we have been supporting him but let him go into action and give the people what they really want by ensuring true federalism.

    “Let him go into action if he is serious about federalism. Let him implement the 2014 National Conference reports. I don’t believe in this 1999 Constitution that is the constitution, we say we don’t recognise, that is the constitution we say is not our own. Yet, that is the constitution being used in making of his pronouncement. How can we use the constitution to right what is wrong? He should send the constitution for a referendum that is what we recommended. It is not a matter of constitutional amendment by the National Assembly because the National Assembly is part of the problem we have. Let the people decide what they want and that is where I stand not all the petty and cut corners methods government had adopted in doing what he wants to do.”

    A lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Ayo Olukotun, said the President’s decision to make June 12 Democracy Day is in order. He said the decision was a response to public opinion. He said “Nigerians, particularly civil right activists have over the years been clamouring for the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day as against May 29. There is nothing significant about May 29 “.

    Olukotun said making June 12 Democracy Day is a response to history because, without June 12, there will be on May 29. It was June 12 that gave birth to May 29. It was June 12 activists that put pressure on the military to hand over power to the democratically elected government on May 29, 1999.

    He hailed President Buhari for taking the right decision on a sensitive national issue which his predecessors had failed to address for over two decades. Though belated, I think the President should be commended for doing the right thing, he added.

    A chieftain of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Tunde Adeniran, said June 12 is the real democracy day. It should go down in history as real democracy day because it was the day Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion came out to vote for a president of their choice. But unfortunately, the result of the election which was declared the most credible election in Nigeria was annulled.

    Adeniran, professor emeritus of Political Science, said: “Without June 12, there would be no democracy in Nigeria; it is very symbolic in the annals of Nigerian political history; it is tied to the soul of the Nigerian nation. We of the SDP are grateful that God has used President Muhammadu Buhari to do the right thing. We are happy that the president had taken that bold decision to heal the wounds of June 12.”

    June 12

    Lawyer and human right activist Monday Ubani said the declaration of June 12 as democracy day is a right decision and that President Buhari must be commended for it. He said official recognition of June 12 will serve as consolation for the family of the late M.K.O. Abiola and those who sacrificed their lives for the revalidation of the annulled June 12 presidential election results.

    Ubani said there is nothing important about May 29. He said the Federal Government should declare June 12 public holiday because it was a monumental event in the history of Nigeria

    He advised the president to go a step further by declaring Abiola president and accord him all the rights attached to the office of the president. President Buhari should complete the process and declare Abiola as the winner of June 12 presidential election; doing that will heal all the wounds, he added.

    Applauding the President, APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for a constitutional amendment to institutionalise June 12 as Democracy Day.

    He said: “By this wise yet visionary decision, the President has scored double: first he has accorded respect to the Constitution, which recognises May 29 as the date to inaugurate new terms of office while at the same time ensuring the country moves on the rightful path to formalising June 12 as new Democracy Day. This decision soundly balances current legal requirements with the quest for political justice.

    “For this feat in moving the country in the right direction, President Buhari and the Federal Government deserve commendation.

    “June 12 represents an important milestone in the annals of Nigeria’s democratic journey. It was the day Nigerians shunned ethnicity and religion to vote for that leader of their choice in an election adjudged clearly free and fair.

    “To complete this process that the President has started via Executive Order, we hope that the National Assembly act with reasonable dispatch in cooperation with the Presidency to assure that the requisite constitutional amendments are enacted to fully establish June 12 as Democracy Day.

    “As Nigerians, we have a role to play: rededicate ourselves to democracy, peaceful co-existence, togetherness and the hope for a greater future, all of which June 12 represented.”

    The process to accord June 12 recognition began last year when President Buhari officially named June 12 as Democracy Day by Executive Order.

    The President also recognised the winner of the June 12 election, the late Bahorun MKO Abiola, as a past president and awarded the highest honour – the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

    The late Abiola’s running mate in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, was recognised as a former vice president and bestowed with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award.

  • House okays June 12 as Democracy Day

    PRO-JUNE 12 promoters won a major victory yesterday. The House of Representatives passed the bill to make June 12 a national holiday with the adoption of the report at the Committee of the Whole.

    “When the bill is assented to by the President, subsequent June 12 anniversaries will become public holidays to commemorate democracy, while 29 May will only be celebrated every fourth year when there is inauguration of a new President.”

    The proposed legislation titled: “A bill for an act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,  2004 to bring the act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare  June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for related matter,” was sponsored by Edward Pwajok (APC Plateau) and Kayode Oladele (APC Ogun).

    It was referred to the Committee of the Whole on November 22 by  Speaker Yakubu Dogara after passing the second reading on the floor.

    President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 a national holiday on June 6 .

    Pwajok, while presenting the bill last month argued that countries set aside some days to commemorate special events such as celebrating their independence, religious festivals, some heroes etc.

    He said: “For instance, President Ronald Reagan initiated the celebration of Martin Luther King’s Day as a holiday in the U.S.A. He is considered a civil rights hero in the U.S.A. May 1  is celebrated in most cities to celebrate workers.

    “There are individuals who have impacted so much on their countries, that they are celebrated with a declaration of public holidays such as George Washington of the U.S.A, (the First U.S President).

    “Certain events also have compelled the declaration of public holiday, such as Human Rights, Freedom. Youth, Women and National Reconciliation days in South Africa.

    “In many countries public holidays are not fixed, as they change from year to year. Thus, the U.S.A celebrates presidential inauguration only in the fourth year when new president is sworn in.”

    The lawmaker also said that in 2000, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared May 29 as Democracy Day to celebrate the handover of government by the military to elected civilians.

    “This is in addition to celebrating independence on October 1  each year. The question needs to be asked whether the mere hand over of power on May 29, 1999 is more symbolic of democracy than the June 12  1993 election.

    “It is pertinent to remember that it was the crisis that accompanied the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that led to not only the return of democracy in 1999 but the concession of the Presidency to the South West in 1999.”

    He said that declaring June 12 as Democracy Day will remind Nigerians of the supreme price many Nigerians including, M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and Bagauda Kaltho among others, paid and many others that lost their jobs, properties and businesses.

    “It will also enhance national unity by reminding us that on June 12 1993 Nigerians de-emphasized religion by voting a Muslim-Muslim Social Democratic Party (SDP) ticket against a Muslim-Christian National Republican Convention (NRC) ticket.”

  • Abiola’s eldest daughter lauds declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day

    The eldest daughter the late Bashorun MKO Abiola, Mrs Lola Abiola-Edewor, yesterday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as the new Democracy Day, saying it is justice to her father.

    Edewor gave the commendation at the Fidau prayer commemorating 20 years of the death of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election who died in detention on July 7, 1998.

    The prayer was organised by the June 12 Movement in conjunction with the Abiola’s family at the Ikeja residence of the deceased.

    Edewor, a former member of the House of Representatives, said successive governments failed to accord the late business mogul and politician honour due to him by recognising what June 12 stood for in Nigeria’s political history.

    She commended President Buhari for his courage to give due recognition to June 12, saying the declaration would gladden her late father in his grave.

    “For me and members of my family, the declaration of June 12 is justice for my late father.

    “My father was cheated and maltreated and even paid the supreme prize just because of the mandate given to him by Nigerians on June 12, 1993.”

    Edewor urged leaders to embrace Abiola’s most salient ideology of helping the less privileged.

    She advised the privileged to always remember their neighbours and impact on their lives, saying that was what Abiola stood for throughout his life.

    Edewor thanked the June 12 movement and others who had stood with the family since the demise of their patriarch, saying the support had encouraged the family to move on.

    Mr Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, described Abiola as “an embodiment of humility and generosity” as he stood for the well being of the masses all his life.

    Also, Mrs Beko Ransome -Kuti, wife of the late human rights activist, described Abiola as “a great politician”, urging other leaders to emulate his love for the poorest of the poor in the society.

    In his sermon, an Islamic cleric, Alhaji Babatunde Balogun extolled the virtues of late Abiola, urging other leaders to his good deeds while he was alive.

     

     

     

    “It is not how long you live that matters but how much impact you made while you live.

     

    “Everybody is talking about  Abiola because of the life he lived.

     

    “We should all endeavour to live lives that will make people remember us even when we are gone,” he said.

     

    Balogun prayed for the repose of  the soul of late Abiola and also offered prayers for his family and the entire  nation.

     

    Members of the June 12 movement laid a wreath on Abiola’s grave,showering encomiums on him.

     

    The event attracted life-time friends and associates of late Abiola as well as many members of his immediate and extended family members.

     

    A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association,Mr Olisa Agbakoba, was among the dignitaries  that graced the occasion.

     

  • MKO Abiola Day or Democracy Day?

    Sir: The first democratically elected government in Nigeria was inaugurated on October 1, 1960 and re-elected in 1964, but was toppled by a military coup on January 15, 1966. Likewise, on October 21, 1979, democracy was revived, but was toppled by the military on December 31, 1983. Again, in 1993, another democratic election took place on June 12, but was halted by the military. The most sustained democracy in Nigeria is the one that was ushered in on May 29, 1999, and it is the current democratic era in the country.

    In choosing a democracy day among these dates, one may be indecisive. Would you consider a date in the past democratic era or a date in the current democratic era? Would you use a date that marks a success to the democracy or a date that marks a failure to the democracy? Whichever one you choose, you will still have to choose among options. If you go for a date to commemorate a failure to the democracy, you would then have to choose between January 15, 1966, December 31, 1983, and June 12, 1993. All these dates were days when democracy was ruined or crucified in Nigeria. So, what criteria would you use to choose among these options?

    Changing the democracy day from the date in which the democracy was revived and achieved success seemingly forever (May 29) to the date in which a democratic election was negated 25 years ago (June 12) is a big call. Which of the two dates is more deserving to be a democracy day?

    Many would have chosen differently.

    The presumed winner of the June 12 election, MKO Abiola is no doubt a great symbol of democracy in Nigeria, and it is fair to dedicate a special day to remember his struggle and sacrifice, and June 12 is a perfect date to do that. MKO Abiola Day is a day in which the country will reflect on and renew our hope for true democratic principles and the contributions we can make to sustaining democratic values. So, June 12 should be an MKO Abiola Day.

    For Democracy Day, it should remain May 29, the day in which democracy was revived to stay forever; and a day in which every newly elected government is inaugurated. In Nigeria, we have tried democracy four times, but we all failed except for the fourth time (May 29, 1999). So, May 29 is a perfect date to celebrate our democracy. It was in this democracy that was ushered on May 29, 1999 that we had four consecutive elected presidents. It is worth celebrating.

    May 29 should not be isolated; it is a date we really achieved sustained success in democracy, and it is still the date we mark the beginning of every new democratic dispensation. Therefore, we should have both Democracy Day on May 29 and MKO Abiola Day on June 12. This will be more sustainable; otherwise, a different regime in the future may also wish to change democracy day to either January 15 or December 31. January 15 is already being marked and commemorated every year as Armed Forces Day, and that is okay because it was not made a democracy day as it is a day to remember a sad event. Dates for sad events may not be fit to celebrate a democracy, but can be renamed to remember the victims and the struggles made in those times. The government should reconsider its decision on June 12 and make it an MKO Abiola Day instead of Democracy Day.

     

    • Dr. Ahmed Adamu, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

  • Photo: Ambode unveils new Moshood Abiola statue

     Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday, unveiled the New Chief Moshood Abiola Statue in Ojota.

  • Enriching the ritual of June 12?

    Two unrelated developments in actual and symbolic engineering of our polity in the last two weeks have encouraged republishing of this article which first came out two years ago under the title of “June 12 Plus.” The first development is presentation two weeks ago of an executive bill that seeks to put management of surface and underground water solely in the hands of the federal government. The second development is President Buhari’s decision last week to enrich the ritual of June 12 by promising to move celebration of Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 as from 2019 and the award of posthumous national honour to MKO Abiola.

    A well-deserved ritualisation of June 12 took place last Sunday. As usual, this year’s ritual of remembrance of the period of loss as a device to engineer reform went well in most of the Southwest states, leading to public holidays in some states, street marches in others, and calls for substantive and symbolic compensation in others, as well as reinforcement of twenty-three-year old call for true federalism in others. Today’s article is to remind readers of what the June 12 struggle has not been able to accomplish and the new thorns thrown on the road opened by June 12 to re-federalisation and full democratisation of Nigeria.

    Historically, the June 12 struggle had three goals: restoration of MKO Abiola’s presidential mandate given to him by the fairest and freest election in the country’s history; de-militarisation of the country’s polity; and return of federal system of governance to the country. After the death of Abacha and later of Abiola in circumstances that continue to raise questions till today, the struggle lost its first goal. The second goal was partially won at the time General Olusegun Obasanjo became president at the end of General Abdusalaam’s transition to democracy in 1999. But Obasanjo’s presidential election was not guided by any visible constitution to let citizens and candidates know what they were bargaining for. And the third goal, re-federalisation of the polity, had been hanging in the air ever since. Even after four post-military presidential elections, Nigeria is still saddled with a constitution crafted behind closed doors by military rulers and with concentration of power in the federal government and at the expense of subnational governments in a federal republic.

    Surprisingly, seventeen years of elected governments have not alleviated the problems that arose from June 12. On the contrary, the period of post-military rule has aggravated the unsolved problems left behind after Abiola’s death and the transition to civil rule that followed it. However, the narrative of re-federalisation remains alive even 23 years after annulment of Abiola’s election, but its retelling has been hobbled by confusion arising from several quarters. NADECO at home and abroad suffered some gradual haemorrhaging since some of its members came to political power in the Yoruba region. Only a few of the governors/lawmakers elected since 1999 and a few NADECO leaders remained vocal in calling for return to functioning federalism.

    The frustration of efforts to restore federalism has taken many forms. NADECO became war weary after the death of Abiola and became excited by the promise of return to democratic rule by the Abdulsalami Abubakar government. The excitement of periodic elections in a country that had been denied such opportunities on-and-off for many decades of military dictatorship created complacency for uncritical voters. Some found creation of mushroom organisations as vehicles for demanding federalism and as a means of staying politically and socially relevant in their communities. Many others see June 12 as a fitting time to repeat the demand for restructuring while others would rather not be bothered for calling for the kind of change that restructuring entails.

    Ironically, a former chieftain of NADECO-abroad, now leader of the All Progressives Congress, opened a hydrant on the fire of re-federalisation a few days before this year’s June 12 anniversary when he announced that federalism is not a priority of the new administration. Many who voted for a New Nigeria in 2015 are already feeling confused by the pronouncement of the chairman of APC and President Buhari’s media assistant who characterised the call for federalism as a distraction from the ruling party’s priorities. But the following statement in the highlights of APC manifesto: Initiate action to amend our Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true Federalism and the Federal spirit, does not suggest that an item in the highlights of the party’s manifesto is not a priority item. From information available to the electorate, the manifesto of APC emphasises re-federalisation or reforming the existing largely unitary system through amendment of the 1999 Constitution. If the spirit to do what was promised is no longer there, it is important for the party to say so. And I believe doing so should go beyond an ex-tempore assessment of Buhari administration’s priorities by the ruling party’s chairman.

    More than two decades after NADECO’s struggles for democracy for electoral and cultural democracy, Nigeria is still largely at the same point that it was after the election of the first post-military government of Obasanjo. The partial de-militarisation achieved through election of Obasanjo as a civilian and of subsequent civilian presidents and lawmakers remains as limited as it was in 1999. The constitution that presents a unitary system as a federal one is still intact. And the largest chunk of the nation’s revenue is still going to the central government that has no direct constituents to service while states and local governments that house and provide direct service to citizens receive much less than the central government. The imbalance between subnational and national governance is even getting worse as petroleum fortunes become more unpredictable by the day. States are now leaving on bailouts and loans. Instead of constitutionally returning power and freedom to states to be more productive, they are now at the risk of losing power over actual and virtual water supply in their communities.

    ‘June-twelvers’ who have remained committed to the ideals and goals of June 12 deserve to be congratulated for not becoming despondent after two decades of a constitution that is afraid to come to terms with the demands of managing a culturally diverse country. Since 1966, Nigeria has been trying to find its way to the map of modern development. Rather, it has been moving from one crisis to the other, a situation that had made nonsense of the lives of millions of people who had died while waiting for justice and progress and of the chances of many others still alive to have a good life in a country whose progress is believed to be undermined politically and economically by its flawed structure. There is, however, danger in allowing the government spawned by a party popularly known as A New Party for a New Nigeria which citizens voted for massively in 2015to be derailed by what looks like rightwing interpretation of the platform presented to the electorate in 2015.

    In addition, ‘June-twelvers’ and others genuinely committed to bringing federalism back to the country should not be contented with gathering every year to remember the injustice of the past. Remembering Abiola and June 12 must include working towards realisation of the missed goals of the NADECO struggle, not just through gathering of motley associations, but through a return to a cohesive organisation to resist further erosion of power of subnational governments and to work toward restoration of true federalism to our multi-religious and multiethnic federation.

  • Aregbesola applauds Buhari on recognising June 12

    Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising June 12 as democracy day in place of May 29.

    In a statement made available to the media in Osogbo by his media adviser, Sola Fasure, Governor Aregbesola commended the president for mustering the courage to take this historic step 25 years after the freest and fairest presidential election ever held in the history of Nigeria

    According to Governor Aregbesola, “President Buhari has secured for himself an incomparable position in history for surmounting the courage to take this historic step of recognising June 13 as ‘Democracy Day’ and honouring Chief Moshood Abiola posthumously.

    Read Also:Ambode hails Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as new Democracy day

    “June 12, 1993 was the day democracy was born in Nigeria. It was the day Nigerians negated all the social and political constructs that had been thought would make national unity impossible and democratic governance impossible, but Nigerians in their heterogeneity overwhelmingly voted for a candidate whose very essence was in defiance of religious, ethnic and regional categorisation.

    “It is most regrettable that the election was annulled and Chief Abiola clamped in illegal detention where he later died.

    “Successive administrations had suppressed the significance of June 12 and resisted every admonition to recognise the date and honour Chief Abiola.

    We have since the advent of our administration shunned May 29 and celebrated June 12 as Democracy Day. We are glad therefore that President Buhari has taken this bold step and set the record straight. History will be kind to him for this. I commend him for this uncommon courage and demonstration of leadership”, the statement said.

  • Democracy Day: Comedian wants Nigerians to eschew corruption

    Fast becoming a social commentator, comedian Francis Agoda, aka I Go Dye is supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.

    In an open letter to the President, the comedian who expressed his support, albeit subtly, highlighted the damages which corruption has done to the nation, while urging Nigerians to eschew the vice.

    He said: “As a people, most especially the youths, we should realise that national pride comes first, we should not wait to be reminded before we use our greatness to rebuild this nation. The time has come for us to ask what has been happening to our collective wealth; who, how and what have been done with the money. This issue is beyond religious beliefs; it is the major problem against our spiritual lives in this country today. We have to speak and build our national pride, we must take patriotism as a virtue that must come first, it so important, without it no nation can be built. Regardless of what we enjoy today as elites and successful people, our prosperity cannot be easily transferred to all our children, let’s work to build a country devoid of corruption, a place where children, youths and our mothers will not wallow in pain of starvation and poverty.”

    Making reference to this year’s Democracy Day, I Go Dye categorically opined that there’s nothing to celebrate about democracy in the face of corruption.

    “Corruption is killing our mothers and young children on a daily basis, because the funds meant for healthcare and proper management of our hospitals have often been diverted by someone in authority,” he added, pointing out that today, “We still have the highest mortality rate because of corruption. It’s beyond religious and ethnic boundaries; it’s an epidemic that lives with us like our shadows.”

  • Buhari gets kudos on Democracy Day

    A group, Buhari Patriotic Movement has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on the occasion of Democracy Day.

    Its National Secretary, Shoyemi Adeniyi said the present is more than ever before committed to the welfare of Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation or differences.

    “We also want to use this opportunity to tell the opposition parties that the Buhari’s administration is cognisance of their existence. Their determined effort to hijack the leadership of the country once again using destructive criticisms and manipulations is well noted. But one thing is sure, Nigerians are wiser than they were years back. Nigerians have refused to buy into a ploy to drown the smooth sailing ship of Nigeria under President Buhari,” he said, adding “it is fresh in our memories that the era when People’s Democratic Party (PDP) mounted the helm of affairs was a period when accountability, as far as public funds was concerned became a strange language. It became so bad that accountability in theory and practice got missing from our national operations. This word was copiously replaced by a phrase that echoed round the nation.

    “The era of PDP did not just abandon the security of life and properties of Nigerians in the hands of those who saw continued insecurity as a fertile ground to milk the nation dry but additionally, the era laid a solid foundation for most of the security challenges being witnessed across the nation today. In fact, the Boko Haram insurgency then became what warrants serious-minded Nigerians to write their wills while leaving home in the morning because they are not sure of their safe return home each day. It was a near-war situation for many Nigerians in different parts of the country.

    President Buhari came into power at a critical stage in the history of Nigeria, but like a surgeon in the theatre, with an unprecedented determination, he launched himself and his team into action, not minding the rot they met on ground. Bringing Nigeria back to the track of development became a thing of words and action.”

  • Democracy Day: Obaseki lauds Edo people for unflinching support

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commended residents and indigenes of the state for the peaceful Democracy celebrations, thanking them for their unflinching support for his administration and policies.

    Obaseki, who noted that his government is strengthening relevant institutions for democratic consolidation, applauded the serene and reflective mood with which the day was marked.

    He enjoined the people of the state to continue to play their role in deepening democracy by actively participating in the electoral process, which has improved over the years.

    He said the state government will continue to work for the people, by designing and implementing people-centric policies, assuring space for equal access to justice and ensuring economic growth and development.

    According to him, “This day is one of extreme significance in our history as a nation as it marks the 19th year of return of power to the people under this republic. I therefore join Nigerians in the celebration.”

    “For nearly two decades, our democracy has continued to mature, leading to strengthened institutions, social justice and economic development. Also, as our democracy is being progressively deepened, our electioneering process is getting better,” he noted

    Noting that improved structures have deepened the dividends of democracy in Nigeria, he said, “In Edo, this advancement in our democracy has resulted in better infrastructure, improved education and health care delivery system, and a government that empathises with those dislocated by social crisis, many of whom unfortunately became victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery but are now being reintegrated into society.

    “I use this opportunity to call on all Edo people, Nigerians and friends of our dear country to support our effort to enlarge the gains of our democratic journey.”