By Dapo Akinrefon & Ebun Sessou
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode, Lagos based Human Right Lawyer, Femi Falana and Dele Alake and other eminent Nigerians have called on the Federal Government to immortalize late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993, Presidential polls by declaring June 12 Democracy Day, in place of May 29 currently being celebrated.

They made the call at a symposium organized by the State Political and Legislative Powers Bureau in collaboration with the June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations at LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja in commemoration of 22nd anniversary of annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential poll.

Also, pro-democracy activists yesterday reiterated the call for June 12 to be renamed Abiola Day in honour of the acclaimed winner.

The activists also called on the Federal Govern-ment to name the National Stadium after Abiola owing to his passion for sports in the country while he was alive.

Those who made the call were President of Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr Joe Odumakin; National Coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC); chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Mr Debo Adeniran.

They said this at the 22nd anniversary of the June 12, 1993 with the theme: “June 12 and Nigeria’s Political Administration”, organised by the OPC at the Excellence Hotel, in Lagos.

Notable Nigerians present at the event were, former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd); Professor Sophie Oluwole; President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima; Professor GG Dara; governor candidate of the Peoples Demcoratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State, Mr Gboyega Isiaka; Comrade Dele Akele, Comrade Joseph Eva and Mrs Adenike Lawal among others.

Rename National Stadium after Abiola

—Gani Adams

In his address, leader of the OPC, Otunba Gani Adams, said the June 12, 1993 election was about democratic principles and rule of law.

He noted that the election was about a people who “saw a ray of hope in the ability of Bashorun Abiola to lead them out of Egypt and take them to the promised land.”

He advised Nigerians not to forget “hat the fundamental thing about June 12 was that an election was held and Abiola won a convincing victory which transcended both tribal and religious lines.”

He lamented that the botched 1993 polls was caused by some cabals, adding that they plotted against Abiola and the Nigerian masses who freely gave their votes to Abiola. He said: “with their wicked plots, they denied Abiola the precious mandate.”

He added that “while, it is shocking that Bashorun MKO Abiola died in detention in questionable circumstance on July 7, 1998 when many had thought he would be released by then Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to claim his mandate after the death of General Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, it is even more shocking to understand why our political leaders since 1999, have failed to give this icon, who gave his life for us to have democracy, the honour and respect that he deserves”.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari to honour the late Abiola, Adams said “at this juncture, I wish to call on President Buhari to act on the recommendations of the national conference. You will recall that among the recommendations of the national conference are the issues of local government autonomy, federalism and resource control.”

“It should be noted that the report of the national conference is a collective decision of all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and profession”, he added.

Make June 12 Abiola Day —Odumakin

On her part, president of CD, Dr Odumakin commended Abiola for paying the supreme price of death in order to uphold the mandate of the people.

She, however, noted that it was imperative for the federal government to make June 12 a national holiday in honour of Abiola.

She said “ we are marking the 22nd anniversary of an election that was the freest and fairest in the history of this country but it was annulled by a cabal. Abiola was a dogged fighter, who paid the supreme price so that he could uphold the mandate given to him by the people. As we remember June 12, we should also remember those who set aside a primordial interest. In remembering him, our demands are that the National Stadium must be named after Abiola. We also want to reiterate the fact that June 12 must be our own democracy day. We must not rest but continue in the struggle to ensure that democracy takes firm root in our land.”