Two
Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali and John Baiyeshea, have called
on the Federal Government to declare June 12 as Democracy Day in
Nigeria.
In separate
telephone interviews with our correspondent on Saturday, they stated
that June 12 was symbolic to democracy in the country.
They
added that the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, late
Moshood Abiola, who was the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy struggle,
should be immortalised.
Ali, who is
also chairman, Anti-Corruption Commission, Nigerian Bar Association,
said June 12 was a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy.
He
urged the political class to serve the people well and deliver
dividends of democracy as a veritable way to immortalise Abiola who
sacrificed a lot for the people.
“I
think we should turn June 12 to democracy day. We should forget May 29
and make June 12 Democracy Day. That is the date that defines the
current dispensation of Nigeria. It is a defining moment for democracy.
“Another
way to immortalise MKO is for the political class to get together and
serve the people that voted them into office rather than serve
themselves,” Ali said.
Baiyeshea said the awareness and clamour for the declaration of June 12 as a democracy day was getting high.
He
said, “No matter how we pretend about it, no matter how those in
authorities pretend about it, it has become a watershed for democracy in
this country.
“And I know that
sooner or later, we would get to a stage where June 12 will become a
nationally recognised holiday or the day will be declared to immortalise
Abiola who is the symbol of democratic struggle in Nigeria. I know the
time is coming very soon. I support the declaration of June 12 as a
democracy day.”
Abiola was the
winner of June 12 1993 presidential election. The election was however
annulled by the then ruling military junta under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Abiola,
who was arrested on June 23, 1993, later died at the age of 60 on July
8, 1998 under the regime of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
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