June 12: Nigerians must agitate for MKO declaration as president, investigation of death in FG custody – Women Group
A group, Women Arise and Centre for Change has urged Nigerians to continue to demand for the post humus declaration of late Moshood Kashimowo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as present of Nigeria with all the paraphernalia of the office accorded him.
The group further called on Nigerians not to relent in the call for the setting up of a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate Abiola’s death in the custody of the federal government during the regime of AbdulSalam Abubakar as Head of State.
In a statement to commemorate the 27th year’s anniversary of June 12 signed by its President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, the group said the occasion should be used to officially validate the results of the election and demand the restructuring of the country.
It noted that the decision to declare June 12 Democracy Day by President Muhammadu Buhari is acceptable “because we had asked for the declaration 27 years ago”.
The statement read in part:
“The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) award given in recognition of MKO Abiola was also long overdue but a right step in the right direction.
“Therefore, as we celebrate the heroes and heroines of Nigeria’s democracy; and as Nigeria marks yet another landmark in the history of her democratic watershed, we enjoin Nigerians to continue to insist on the following demands: The official authentication and validation of the June 12, 1993 election results as belatedly declared by the then electoral boss, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the posthumous recognition of Abiola as President of Nigeria and for his portrait to be displayed amongst those of past Nigerian presidents and heads of State, a judicial commission of enquiry to unravel how the high treason of his murder was carried out while MKO was in the custody of the Federal Government and restructuring of Nigeria.
“We therefore call on Nigerians, irrespective of creed, race, religious inclination or affiliation, to re-dedicate themselves to the struggle for genuine democracy epitomised by credible elections. Entrenching the true spirit of June 12, which is free and fair elections, is the best way to immortalize MKO.
“We salute the memory of President MKO Abiola, the truly elected president of Nigeria, whose election was clean, free and fair as adjudged by local and international observers.
