June 12 is Part of Our History, Says Sanwo-Olu ...Eminent Nigerians call leaders to serve Nigerians

 

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday advised that young Nigerians should be educated on the significance of June 12 anniversary. 

The governor stressed that it is through formal education on the importance of the day that the people would appreciate and immortalise the acclaimed winner of the adjudged freest and fairest election in Nigerian history, which the late Moshood Olawale Abiola won.

Speaking at the maiden 2019 national Democracy Day celebration in remembrance of late MKO Abiola, the hero of the annulled June 12, 1993, general election, held at De Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said: “On June 12, 1993, Nigeria had an election adjudged by the entire world to be the most free and fair and remained so till this moment.”

He said the importance of June 12 should not be lost on Nigerians, adding that parents should drum up its importance to the young ones and its relevance to the democracy Nigerians now enjoy.

"We are here today to continue what Lagos State Government started in 1999. We must thank President Muhammadu Buhari because June 12 is part of our history. We must let our children know the real meaning of June 12. If over 200 million Nigerians do the right thing and maintain their lanes, this country will be great," he said.

Sanwo-Olu added: “Democracy, as the June 12 1993 elections and its annulment have shown, is a process and not an event in itself. It is a process which acknowledges that the burning desire and the power of the people in choosing their leaders is clearly deep-rooted and non-negotiable.”

Also at the residence of late MKO Abiola, the governor advised Nigerians to educate their children on the significance of June 12 for posterity sake so that the importance of the day should not be lost on Nigerians, adding that parents should drum up its importance in the democracy Nigerians now enjoy.

The governor commended patriotic and excellent Nigerians who sacrificed their time, resources and lives to make the essence of June 12 acknowledged.

Earlier, in his lecture, ‘Hope 93, democratic prosperity  and political stability’, guest speaker, Professor Pat Utomi, said for Abiola's memory to be sustained, the political class must have a renewed sense of service and make the country work again.

"Abiola reflected an economic justice. In the last two years, N1.8trillion has left Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) because people no longer want to do business in Nigeria. Why do we allow our country to be seen as money-losing machine?

"Nigerian elites should see to how the country can work again to prevent anarchy that is coming. Do we need a new NADECO to liberate us? Politics is about service and good of the people. We must build a country of people working together for the good of all if we are going to do pride to Abiola's memory," Utomi said.

In his contribution, the Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu, said the declaration of June 12 as democracy day is ‘a triumph of democracy over military dictatorship', urging the political class to channel their energy to work against poverty.

"For today, it is a total commitment. What seems impossible has become a reality. This is a triumph of democracy over dictatorship. It is to renew our commitment to democratic process,” he added.

 In his reaction, Abdul Amin Abiola, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to all Nigerians, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, for their support and steadfastness in making the day a reality.