South/West demands compensation for victims of June 12 violence

[PeoplesDaily]

Frederick Faseun, Founder, Oodua Peoples Congress Twenty years after the annulment of June 12 election, the South West region is demanding compensation for victims who were killed during the June 12 1993 elections protest.

South West self determination group, Oodua People's Congress (OPC) said that government should immediately begin a compensation plan to include victims of June 12, "especially the ordinary Nigerians who were killed while protesting the annulment of the 1993 elections."

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to mark the June 12 20th anniversary OPC founder Dr. Frederick Fasehun, also asked the federal government to proclaim June 12 as Nigeria Unity day.

Fasehun recalled that as part of events marking the last Democracy Day, "President Goodluck Jonathan announced the payment of N5.7 billion in compensations to victims of the 2011 post-election violence. Some governors have made similar gestures in the past.

"What is good for the goose must be good for the gander. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government under President Goodluck Jonathan to immediately work out a comprehensive compensation plan for Nigerians who died in the struggle for democracy.

"We demand that government should immediately expand the scope of the current compensation plan to include victims of June 12, especially the ordinary Nigerians who were killed while protesting the annulment of the 1993 elections.

"Those who died for June 12 must not die in vain. Victims of June 12 must be compensated."

Fasehun said that June 12 gave birth to May 29. "the intensity and internationalizing of the June 12 struggle by democratic elements finally culminated in the termination of Military rule on May 29, 1999.

"Those in the current civilian regime are beneficiaries of the June 12 struggle. Those in position today owe their relevance to everyone who made sacrifices towards the establishment of this Republic; and those are the heroes of June 12."

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