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MKO Abiola
Lagos, Ondo and Osun states have declared June 12 as public holiday in commemoration of its significance and declaration recently by President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Democracy Day. Lagos had always observed the day as public holiday but for its workers.
The recent Abuja declaration has added impetus to the date being honoured as a national holiday. Though President Buhari has said June 12 this year will not be observed nationally as a public holiday, it is believed that as soon as the federal government concludes its legal formalization in line with extant laws and rules, it will assume the full status of a public holiday from next year.
This year’s June 12 marks the 25th anniversary of the annulled 1993 Presidential election adjudged to have been won by late MKO Abiola.
The Lagos State message is contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, on Saturday.
Bello said the significance of June 12, 1993 election, adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, would always be a reference point in the state’s quest to entrench true democracy in service to the people.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent declaration of June 12 as the new Democracy Day.
He said the singular act would forever ensure that MKO Abiola and other martyrs of democracy, who laid down their lives in the struggle to entrench good governance, did not do so in vain.
“On behalf of all Lagosians, we want to commend and applaud Mr President.
“We commend him for deeming it fit finally against all odds from all other past presidents that 25 years after, we are able to now celebrate our own Democracy Day and also declare that the real winner of 1993 June 12 Presidential election was actually our own MKO Abiola.
“No matter how long you try to hide history, history will always reveal itself with a true platform.
“So, we know that is one very important singular step as we go forward to build an enduring democracy.
“And for all democrats in this country, we are excited that we are moving in the right direction.
“It also affirms that Nigeria can get it right if we begin to put things in the right perspective and work for the general good of the greater number of people. That is the true essence of democracy.
“For us in Lagos, June 12 is not just a day to remember, it is a rallying point for those of us in service that we must continuously strive to entrench true democracy and good governance which is what Chief MKO Abiola totally exemplified,” Bello said.
