JUNE 12: WE CAN NEVER FORGET ABIOLA-Atiku, Tinubu
Odunayo Ajani
Nigeria’s former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have described the election in June 12, 1993, as a history in Nigeria which cannot be forgotten. This was said when Ogun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and others join in the declaration of Monday, June 12, 2017, as a public holiday.
The former Vice President said this in a statement issued by his Media Officer in Abuja, on Sunday. Former Vice President, Atiku said the events that brought about June 12 “are part of our country’s history and cannot be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that Election Day in 1993.”
Atiku Abubakar had described late MKO Abiola as a philanthropist, businessman, and patriot. He further noted that the June 12 event still remained as a defining moment in the history of Nigeria.
The statement released by his media officer partly reads.
“The Waziri commended Nigerians for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by June 12 and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years.
“He said that it is a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today, democracy is flourishing in the country, adding that the restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.
According to him, “restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the federation based on the principle of comparative advantage.”
Atiku Abubakar has also described late MKO as the leading personality of the June 12 struggle as a national “Hero and Patriot” worthy of accolades and honour by Nigerians.
He then finally called on the Federal Government to give the necessary tribute in honour of the late Chief MKO Abiola of blessed memory by naming a befitting national institution after him.
The former Governor of Lagos state, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his own also said in a statement on Sunday while celebrating the 24th anniversary of June 12 that without
“the uncompromising resistance to military rule engendered by the annulment of the June 12 election, there would most probably be no 4th Republic today and we would still be groaning under military dictatorship.”
Tinubu further described the late MKO Abiola, the winner of the 1993 election as an embodiment of “the eternal Yoruba adage, which says that death is better with honour than life without dignity.”
In the statement titled, ‘What June 12 Taught Us,’ Tinubu said,
“The blood of those who gave their yesterday and sacrificed even their lives for the democracy and freedom we enjoy today was not shed in vain. The truth is June 12 is the mother of May 29.
“The annulment was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for the millions of people who expended so much time, energy and material resources to help ensure victory for Chief MKO Abiola. The late MKO selflessly committed so much of his substantial fortune towards ensuring his victory at the polls. In doing this, he was not motivated by personal, selfish or pecuniary considerations.
“Twenty-four years after its annulment, the spirit of June 12 lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of Nigerians.
“This year’s commemoration of the anniversary of June 12 coincides roughly with two years in the office of the All Progressives Congress at the federal level. Some critics are already writing off the government as a failure. However, the vast majority of Nigerians are aware of the immense mess inherited by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”
Tinubu finally concluded, adding that the Federal Government had successfully contained the challenges, and was turning the corner with “light discernible at the end of the tunnel.”
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