New Law To Make June 12 Official Democracy Day in Osun State

The Osun State Government on Friday said that this year’s June 12 anniversary will be celebrated amidst pomp and pageantry as a mark of honour for the repose of the soul of the acclaimed winner of the annulled election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.

Also, the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola is working on sending a bill to the state House of Assembly to make June 12 issue a constitutional one in the state in order for the government to recognize it as the state’s Democracy Day.

Speaking at a press conference to herald activities for the June 12 celebrations, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, said that the present administration in the state will continue to give recognition to June 12 as the real Democracy Day in the country.

Akere who noted the significant contributions of Late MKO Abiola to the enthronement of democracy in the country, stated that some beneficiaries of democracy in the country were those who stood against the declaration of the outcome of the June 12, 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by Abiola.

His words: “what we are celebrating is the election held on 12th June, 1993 in which Nigerians went out with the goal of electing a president under the supposed handing over agenda of then military junta. The election adjudged as the freest in the democratic history of Nigeria was clearly won by MKO Abiola but the powers that be in their maradonic way and wisdom refused to declare him as winner, scuttling the process after over half of the results have been made public by the electoral body.”

The commissioner also informed that the state government was doing everything possible under the law to ensure that proper recognition is given to June 12 even by successive administrations in the state.

Also speaking, a human right activist, Comrade Amitolu Shitu observed that the beneficiaries of democracy in the country today were those who stood against the declaration of Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Shittu declared that the spirit of democracy would continue to torment those who enjoy the present democracy in the country without paying the due price for it.

“The Late MKO Abiola sacrificed his life for Nigerian democracy to thrive. The messenger was actually killed but the message can never be killed,” he added.