Four states declare today a public holiday to commemorate Abiola's June 12 victory

FOUR states across southwestern Nigeria have declared today a public holiday as part of the 22nd year commemoration of the annulled June 12 elections which Chief MKO Abiola won in 1993 but were annulled by the military.

 

Regarded across southwestern Nigeria as the most iconic day for democracy in the country, June 12 is seen as a watershed in the annals of transparent, free and fair elections in the country. To mark the anniversary, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states have declared today, work free-day.

 

Habib Aruna, the chief press secretary to the Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode, described June 12, 1993 as the day Nigerians voted in one voice across ethnic, racial and religious lines. He added that it represented a day when Nigerians said no to voting along ethnic lines.

 

According to the governor, regrettably, 22 years after the annulment, the Nigerian nation is still grappling with some of the vices which the June 12, 1993 elections sought to confine to the dustbin of history through undue clinging to ethnic cleavages by some political gladiators.

He urged Lagos State residents to spend the day in sober reflection and in remembrance of the martyrs of the June 12 elections struggle for laying the foundation of the democracy which the nation is now enjoying.

 

Similarly, Soji Eniade, the head of service to the Oyo State government, said the holiday is to commemorate the annulled presidential elections of June 12, 1993. He urged the people of the state to remain steadfast in their prayers for the sustainability of democracy in the state and the country at large.

 

In Ogun State, Taiwo Adeoluwa the secretary to the state government, said the declaration of a holiday was made to honour the late politician Chief MKO Abiola. He added that Chief Abiola had fought for the democracy currently being enjoyed by the people in Nigeria.

 

Mr Adeoluwa said: "The annual holiday is in honour of the late legendary son of the state, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election who fought for the democracy currently being enjoyed across the country. Government enjoins residents to spend the day to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the annulled election peacefully, pray for the continued repose of the martyr of democracy, Chief Abiola and general political and socio-economic growth of our country."

 

Semiu Okanlawon, the director of the Osun State Bureau of Communication and Strategy, said the government declared the holiday to mark the day the whole country united to vote a candidate of their choice without religious or ethnic considerations. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said June 12 is significant and central to the development of democracy that the nation is now enjoying.