June 12 Legacy Must Inspire Youths Through Electoral Integrity, Says Adebayo

Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has said the enduring legacy of June 12, 1993 should inspire Nigerian youths to protect electoral integrity and demand credible elections, as the nation marks Democracy victory.

In a statement issued on
Friday, Adebayo described June 12 as a sacred reminder that sovereignty belongs to the people, not to military decrees or political manipulation, urging young Nigerians to see themselves as custodians of that mandate.

He recalled that Abiola, running on the SDP platform with the slogan “Farewell to Poverty,” united voters across ethnic, religious and regional lines.

“The June 12, 1993 election produced a landslide that could have repositioned Nigeria as Africa’s democratic leader, that poll offered Nigeria a historic opportunity to lead democratic renewal on the continent at a time when apartheid still existed in South Africa and military rule dominated much of Africa.” he said

The SDP candidate said the cancellation was more than an electoral setback. “June 12 confirms that power rests with the people. ” he added

Adebayo paid tribute to Chief MKO Abiola, his wife Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and thousands of Nigerians who lost lives, freedom and comfort resisting dictatorship.

He also commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for officially recognizing June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

However , Adebayo expressed concern that 33 years later, many challenges Abiola fought against persist, citing vote buying, political violence, weak internal democracy in parties, interference by security agencies, and shrinking civic space as threats to credible elections.

He argued that honoring June 12 requires more than public holidays and speeches. “We must build institutions where votes count, citizens are protected, and leaders emerge through free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.

He called on youths to take ownership of the democratic process ahead of the next general election.

According to him, electoral integrity starts with voter education, rejection of vote selling, and holding parties accountable to internal democracy.

“June 12 must not be in vain. The labour of our heroes past must not go to waste. I was born under military rule and I will never wish for that era to return,” he stated.