Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigerians to ensure the sustenance of democracy in the country, saying it benefits the people more if they remain united .
The governor stated this yesterday at an event to commemorate the Democracy Day at St. Leo’s Catholic Church and the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s residence in Ikeja, Lagos.
Sanwi-Olu appealed to Nigerians should continue to have faith in the “Renewed Hope” mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Represented by his deputy Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the story of June 12 presidential election and the events that followed had been adequately documented and would continue to be told to generations of Nigerians, adding that “June 12 was, no doubt, a watershed and a turning point in the political history of Nigeria”.
The significance of June 12 1993, according to him, is that it was a day Nigerians set aside their multi-ethnic and multi-religious colorations and united by their common desire to see the end of military dictatorship and voted overwhelmingly for the ticket of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as president and vice president on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“As we celebrate today, my message to all Nigerians is to remain steadfast, guard our fledgling democracy jealousy, remain united as one great people with common destiny and, most importantly, continue to have faith in the ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC),’’ he said
In his welcome address, the president of the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), Mr. Adewale Adeoye, charged Nigerians to discourage the younger generation from calling for military rule, adding that the worst version of democratic rule is far better than the most benevolent military dictatorship.
Also speaking during the visit by the governor to the residence of the Abiolas’ in Ikeja, the president and founder of the House of Politics (HOP) Nationwide, Alhaja Aminat Irawo tasked the President Tinubu to declare the Late Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of the 1993 presidential election and ensure payment of all his entitlement as a former President of Nigeria.
Earlier, the daughter of late MKO Abiola, Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor commended the state government for their annual visits and support to the family, noting that Mr. Sanwo-Olu has been championing democracy in the state and hopes to see a better country which is what June 12 stood for.
