(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/nigerian-coat-of-arms-logo-5322-300x281.png) "History has been kind to Late Abiola by properly situating him in a position that he could not be wished away," the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku gave the indication at a programme organized by the 'Save Nigeria Group (SNG)' to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
He said the fact that he was at the gathering, representing the government meant that the Nigerian government has recognized his role in history.
Labaran Maku promised that he would convey the message of the people to the Federal Government for deliberations, even as he argued that nothing could stop future governments from doing more honour to Abiola.
The Minister said, "June 12 was a drama foretold. It embodies our aspiration to move forward since 1960"; adding that, "The country has since recorded some changes and would continue to make progress under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan".
The Convener of the SNG, Pastor Bakare, in his address, lamented that the country had only gone from bad to worse since 1993, when Nigerians trooped out in their millions to vote for the Late Abiola in an election adjudged by local and international observers as free, fair and credible.
Bakare, while decrying the annulment, which he described as callous and a development that shook the nation, pointed out that the country had witnessed a lot of changes for better and for worse since the exercise.
"So, today, 20 years after the hopes and aspirations of the poor Nigerians, who trooped out to vote on June 12, 1993 were dashed. Our major problem remains the leadership's apparent lack of will, courage and capacity, as well as integrity to secure this nation and manage it well".
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, tasked Nigerians to take away from the anniversary of June 12, the identification of a culture of impunity arising from a deficiency in law and order.
While delivering a keynote address at the event with the theme, "Electoral system, the Bane of Political Instability in Nigeria", the Governor said, if Nigerians rose to attack impunity and exercise it like the cancer that it was, law and order, as well as democracy would flourish.
Amongst the gathering were former military governor, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu and NADECO Chieftain, Chief Ayo Opadokun, the National Publicity secretary of the CAN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Dr. Tunji Dare, Chief Fred Agbeyegbe and others.
The Governor noted that Nigerians would necessarily have to deal with problem of restoring integrity to the electoral process, the way Kenya and Ghana had done if we truly mean to be leaders of Africa.
In his address, former Governor of Lagos State and national leader of ACN, Senator Bola Tinubu, represented by Chief Opadokun, said, in Nigeria's 14 years of democratic rule, which coincides with 20 years of June 12, the nation had made progress, albeit very slowly.
The leader of the June 12 Coalitions of Democratic formations, Baba Omojola, in his message of goodwill, called for the introduction of "equitocracy", a system of government that will allow all sections of the country to be relevant.
While speaking on "Democracy, the rule of law and the role of the legislature," Former presidential candidate of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and Political Economist, Professor Pat Utomi said, "Our democracy has lost its legitimacy over the years, unless we have a clear democracy, where people speak through the ballot box, we cannot have the kind of legitimacy we need. We are determined as people; we can prevent abusers from leading us to where we are today."
The Akwa Ibom State governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio at the residence of the Abiolas at Ikeja in the programme chaired by a prominent Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said, "Abiola paid the supreme price; he died so that we may live and savour the joy of free people."
Represented by his Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, Akpabio debunked the rumour that he rigged election in favor of a member of the national assembly. "I did not rig any election, because I am a product of free and fair elections, which Chief Abiola stood, fought and died for."
Print PDF
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria