Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, pro-democracy groups, activists, trade unions and interest groups yesterday marked the maiden national public holiday of June 12 Democracy Day in Abeokuta, the state’s capital.
It was in memory of late politician, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M. K. O.) Abiola and the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Addressing thousands of trade unionists, pro-democracy groups and associations at the MKO Abiola Stadium at Kuto, Abeokuta, after inspecting a march past organised to commemorate the day, Abiodun said the untimely death of Abiola in detention cut short the “national hope” for an end to poverty and suffering, as encapsulated in his “Hope ’93 manifesto”.
The governor, who was represented by Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the commemoration of the June 12 anniversary and the transmutation of the date into Democracy Day across Nigeria has a special significance for Ogun State and its residents.
He said: “Since that moment and the subsequent events that attended the annulment of the presidential election, June 12 has taken a life of its own and the date has continued to reverberate, even 26 years after.
“Today, we are gathered here to commemorate that date. Not only that, the date has taken on an added significance as it now doubles as the Democracy Day in Nigeria.
“The main actor and custodian of the mandate of the good people of Nigeria at the June 12 presidential polls, the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (affectionately referred to as M.K.O. Abiola), was not only an illustrious son of our dear state but also a successful businessman of international repute.
“It is, therefore, important to note here that the commemoration of the June 12 anniversary and the transmutation of the date into the Democracy Day in Nigeria hold a special significance for us here in Ogun State. For this special recognition of the date as the Democracy Day in Nigeria, I, on behalf of the entire good people of Ogun State, specially thank our dear President Muhammadu Buhari for this honour done unto us.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to observe that the foundation for the 20 unbroken years of democracy we now enjoy in Nigeria was laid on June 12, 1993. We, as proud inheritors of that heritage, are most grateful for the labour of the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola and the eventual sacrifice.
“When democracy berthed on our shores again on May 29, 1999, after many years of military rule, it was not far-fetched to appreciate the significance of that special day of June 12, 1993. It is, therefore, important that we continue to remind ourselves of the experience before that day and how far we have travelled on our democratic journey into nationhood.
“The untimely death of the nationally acclaimed father of democracy and the symbol of that election, a son of the soil and our own brother, the late Bashorun Abiola, who was incarcerated and imprisoned, cut short our national hope as encapsulated in the Hope ’93 manifesto.
“His death, as we are all aware, forced the military rulers to relinquish power and move back to the barracks. And that gave birth to our present democracy. Though, as a mortal, we miss our hero and the opportunity he would have had to refocus, re-orientate and redirect our politics, we are consoled by the fact that we have become direct beneficiaries of the process that he sacrificed his life for.
“For this reason, I charge all our political actors not to lose sight of the significance of June 12, 1993. So much labour and struggles have been invested in order to ensure the attainment and the survival of democracy we now enjoy.
“I urge us all to make the sacrifice of M.K.O. Abiola count as we continue to enthrone good governance for the benefit of our good people. It is my earnest belief that we should, in our conducts and gestures, further give good expression to the wordings of our national anthem that the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. It is in doing this that we can do justice to the memory and legacy of Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
“On our own part here in Ogun State, we appreciate the trust and the mandate the good people of Ogun State have reposed in us during the last general elections. We are irrevocably committed to ensuring that the good people of Ogun State experience abundant life in all ramifications.
“We are determined to entrench good governance which will further enhance the quality of life of our people. Just as Chief M.K.O. Abiola was neither a sectional leader nor biased in his dealings with everyone he came across, we vow to enthrone transparency in our efforts at taking Ogun State to the height as envisioned by our forebears.
“We pledge to leave no stone unturned in our bid to bring equal socio-economic development to every part of Ogun State. It was an equitable society and enlarging opportunities for individual and societal development that Chief Abiola stood and died for. We vow to bring this vision to fruition in Ogun State…”
