Protocol,
It gives me great pleasure to join you and indeed all Nigerians to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day, which also marks the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election.
The story of June 12 and the events that followed it have been adequately documented and will continue to be told to generations of Nigerians. June 12 was, no doubt, a watershed and a turning point in the political history of Nigeria. It was a day Nigerians set aside their multi-ethnic and multi-religious colourations and, united by their common desire to see the end of military dictatorship, voted overwhelmingly for the ticket of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (both Muslims) as President and Vice President on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In spite of that election receiving global acknowledgement as our freest, fairest and most credible, the military junta scuttled the process and annulled the election. That singular action and its ripple aftermath had a most devastating effect on the social, economic and political fabric of Nigeria.
The struggle for the de-annulment of that election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, which was spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), was strongly resisted by the Military, with devastating consequences. In the struggle, young Nigerians, including University students, paid the supreme price across the states as well as on the streets of Lagos, which was the epicenter of the protests against the blatant disrespect for the will of the Nigerian people expressed through the ballot.
Today, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of that historic election in the annals of our country, it is proper and necessary to pay glowing tribute to the memories of the symbol of that struggle. Chief MKO Abiola GCFR, his loving wife, the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and all those who sacrificed their lives, including those Nigerians who were killed on Ikorodu Road in Lagos.
We must salute the courage of the leadership of the Nigerian students (NANS) at the time. NADECO members and other June 12 activists, including some of you seated here in this hall today, must be commended for your outstanding efforts. We note the indelible efforts of frontline pro-democracy campaigners, both dead and alive, such as Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, the late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi(SAN), the late Pa Ayo Adesanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the late Pa Alfred Rewane, ex-National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Secretary Frank Kokori, Chief Ayo Opadokun, the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Mr Femi Falana SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and, of course, our own President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee at the time. They were all a thorn in the flesh of the military despots. Many activists tasted brutality from the oppressors but refused to be cowed. Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who campaigned against the military, was murdered in broad daylight on June 4, 1996, in her car around the 7-Up area, not too far from here. They and several others who are too numerous to mention are the true heroes of the struggle that fueled the desire for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria, on 29th May, 1999 and which we have sustained for 24 unbroken years.
May the souls of our heroes rest in peace.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, what is most profound about this year’s celebration is the fact that for the first time since 1999, we have at the helm of affairs of this country, one of the foremost leaders of that struggle, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is worthy to note that Lagos continues to play prominent roles in the sustenance and development of our democracy.
In the victory of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima at the polls, Nigerians, once again , reignited the spirit of June 12, 1993 and the hope that it signifies by deemphasizing the divisive issues of ethnicity and religion in leadership recruitment.
As we celebrate today, my message to all Nigerians is to remain steadfast, guard our fledgling democracy jealously, 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).
As a major player in the journey to enthroning an enduring democracy, the rule of law and social justice, President Tinubu will put in his best to fulfil his promises to all Nigerians.
Once again, I congratulate all Nigerians and wish everyone a happy National Democracy Day Celebration.
Thank you all for listening.
Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu
Governor of Lagos State
12th June, 2023.
No comments:
Post a Comment