The leadership of the Kwara state chapter of the Labour Party has welcomed the decision of the Federal Government to immortalise for posterity the June 12 struggle by announcing it as the country’s Democracy Day.
The action of the government to substitute May 29 every year with the iconic date has generated differing responses from the opposition and protagonists of the government on the issue.
But in a statement by the LP signed by its state chairman, Comrade AbdulMumini AbdulKareem Onagun and made available to Pilot Politics, the party described the action as a welcome development which was long awaited, adding that annulment of the June 12 election result shattered the dream of a united Nigeria.
Onagun, who is also the state chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said the new date is most appropriate as the country’s Democracy Day and also lauded the recognition of late Gani Fawehinmi who was in the forefront of the struggle before his death.
The statement reads in parts: “The declaration by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday 6th June, 2018 replacing May 29 with June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria is a welcome development. It is a long awaited declaration as June 12 still remains a symbolic date when Nigerians irrespective of ethnic, religious and class differences voted in the elections adjudged globally to be the freest, fairest and most credible in the anal of the political history of the country.
“June 12, 1993 elections laid the foundation for a united Nigeria, but unfortunately it was destroyed by self-seeking, opportunists and wicked anti-democratic forces. Nigerians across the country unanimously elected the late Chief M.K.O Abiola and Alhaji Babagana Kingibe as President and Vice President respectively despite Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“The annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections shattered the dream of a United and Democratic Nigeria. It is highly commendable that President Muhammadu Buhari summoned the courage to re-write our democratic history by post-humously recognising the acclaimed winner.
“We also commend his courage to post-humously recognise the contributions of the Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi by honouring him with GCON. President Buhari has by this epoch and historic action demonstrated his love for democratic ideals and values. June 12 declaration as democracy day is appropriate”, the statement added.
