As Nigerians across the country celebrate the 26th anniversary of June 12 Democracy Day, Political actors have been charged not to lose sight of the significance of June 12, as so much labour and struggles have been invested in it in order to ensure the attainment and the survival of democracy enjoyed by all today.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who gave the charge during his address at the anniversary commemorating the 2019 Democracy Day Celebration themed" Democracy Beyond Abiola and June 12" held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, also urged Nigerians to make the sacrifice of MKO Abiola count, as good governance targeted for the benefit of the citizens continue to yield positive results at all levels.
Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako- Oyedele appreciated the trust and mandate reposed in his administration by the people of the State assuring that his government was committed to good governance that would ensure abundance of 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 MKO 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 creating an equitable society and enlarging opportunities for individuals and societal development that Chief MKO Abiola stood and died for, a vision which we vow to bring to fruition in the State" Abiodun stressed.
The governor therefore enjoined citizens to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the nation and continue to remain united and patriotic adding that no greater honour could be bestowed on the late MKO Abiola .
In his goodwill message, Speaker Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo noted that June 12 struggle was not in vain, charging all politicians to come together to erase poverty in the Country.
Also speaking, one of the sons of late MKO Abiola said the event of June 12 marked the freest election Nigeria ever had, eulogizing his father's struggles as a fight that was worthwhile.
Professor of Political Science, Lagos State University, Sylvester Odion said June 120k signified freedom and triumph of Political
Also a former Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, urged politicians to fight poverty, noting that MKO Abiola charity knows no bounds as June 12 signifies freedom for all ethnic nationality. She added
In his remark, former Chip Whip of the House of Representatives, Wale Oshun, said Government and the people of the state must hold the memory of MKO a lot of appreciation, stating that the inheritors of June 12 struggles should work hard and sacrifice to ensure that the country is returned to federalism.
"We must also acknowledged the efforts of Anthony Enahoro and others who strived for true democracy that yielded civil rules" he said.
Highpoint of the event was match past by students, unions and political groups.
Below is the Governor's full text
ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE (DR.) DAPO ABIODUN MFR, AT THE JUNE 12 ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION
AND THE 2019 DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION, HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 12TH JUNE, 2019.
Protocols,
Exactly twenty-six years ago, Nigerians trooped out en-masse to cast their votes in what has continued to be regarded in the international circle as the freest and fairest election to have ever been conducted in the annals of our nations history. June 12, 1993 was a day all Nigerians young and old, male and female, irrespective of tribal and cultural differences spoke with one voice. It was a day Nigerians from all walks of life took their fate in their hands, by casting their votes for Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. It was a watershed moment whose ripples have continued to be felt, even till this present moment. However, that election was annulled and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. My dear good people of Ogun State, it is imperative that we situate the significance of the June 12 Presidential Election in its proper context. The June 12 election was not just an ordinary election. It was an exercise during which Nigerians cast aside their religious, ethnic and other parochial sentiments to entrust the mantle of the leadership of our great country to a man who would later pay the supreme price in the defence of democracy and the entrenchment of democratic principles in Nigeria. 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.
3. 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, late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (affectionately referred to as MKO 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 GCFR for this honour done unto us.
4. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to observe that the foundation for the 20 unbroken yeas 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 late Chief MKO Abiola and the eventual sacrifice. When democracy berthed on our shores again on May 29th, 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.
5. Distinguished comrades, patriotic democrats, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, 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, Late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale 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.
6. 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 MKO 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 MKO Abiola.
7. 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 MKO 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 creating an equitable society and enlarging opportunities for individual and societal development that Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola stood and died for. We vow to bring this vision to fruition in Ogun State.
8. As we reflect on the selfless sacrifice and contributions of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola to the development of our fatherland, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to the service of the nation and to continue to remain united and patriotic. No greater honour can be bestowed on Late Chief Abiola than this. This is when the labour of the highly revered politician, businessman and philanthropist as well as other heroes shall not be in vain. Beyond this celebration therefore, I enjoin you all to shun all acts that are capable of truncating the journey of our dear State into an era of all-round socio-economic development. This is the only way we can make progress and achieve the Ogun State of our dream.
9. Ladies and gentlemen, on a concluding note, I enjoin all of you to continue to pray for the repose of the soul of the gallant father of democracy, our own dear late Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola. May his soul rest in perfect peace, amen.
10. I thank you all for listening and God bless.
Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun MFR
Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria.
Wednesday, 12th June 2019.
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