The Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described June 12, 1993 as the most suitable and proper day to mark democracy day in Nigeria.
Criticizing its adoption, the governor noted that May 29 is only symbolic for transition to civilian rule and should not be regarded as Democracy Day.
Aregbesola, in his address marking the 23rd anniversary of June 12, said it was the date Nigerians freely expressed their choice on whom to be their leader and a day of unequivocal affirmation of the unity of the country by Nigerians across all divides.
He said Nigerians and lovers of democracy would remain committed to June 12 as a political watershed in the annals of the nation, saying that May 29 only symbolises the day the military handed over the affairs of the country to a democratically elected government.
He said June 12, in 1993 was a day Nigerians united to vote the acclaimed winner of the presidential election, late MKO Abiola without recourse to religion, ethnicity or ideology.
He stated that the unity with which the multi-ethnic groups spoke and acted was what is being celebrated till today.
“We will never drop our commitment to June 12. Nigerians, in their heterogeneity, on June 12, 1993, voted for Chief Abiola in a pattern that defied ethnicity, religion, ideology and locality.
He said further: “May 29, in 1999, was the date the military handed over power to civilian administration and will remain symbolic for the transition to civil rule and the opportunity it presents for realising a truly democratic government that approximates the yearnings and aspirations of the people for a leader that will lead them to the Promised Land of security and life more abundant.”
Criticizing its adoption, the governor noted that May 29 is only symbolic for transition to civilian rule and should not be regarded as Democracy Day.
Aregbesola, in his address marking the 23rd anniversary of June 12, said it was the date Nigerians freely expressed their choice on whom to be their leader and a day of unequivocal affirmation of the unity of the country by Nigerians across all divides.
He said Nigerians and lovers of democracy would remain committed to June 12 as a political watershed in the annals of the nation, saying that May 29 only symbolises the day the military handed over the affairs of the country to a democratically elected government.
He said June 12, in 1993 was a day Nigerians united to vote the acclaimed winner of the presidential election, late MKO Abiola without recourse to religion, ethnicity or ideology.
He stated that the unity with which the multi-ethnic groups spoke and acted was what is being celebrated till today.
“We will never drop our commitment to June 12. Nigerians, in their heterogeneity, on June 12, 1993, voted for Chief Abiola in a pattern that defied ethnicity, religion, ideology and locality.
He said further: “May 29, in 1999, was the date the military handed over power to civilian administration and will remain symbolic for the transition to civil rule and the opportunity it presents for realising a truly democratic government that approximates the yearnings and aspirations of the people for a leader that will lead them to the Promised Land of security and life more abundant.”
