Ibadan –  Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has called on politicians to emulate the virtues of late Chief MKO Abiola, for his sacrifice towards realisation of Nigeria’s democracy .

Ajimobi made the call in Ibadan while speaking at a memorial lecture organised by members of the ACN  in the state.

“Every citizen of  this country must remember the essence of June 12 as the foundation of our nation’s democracy,’’ he said.

The governor who spoke through his Deputy, Moses Adeyemo, said that  June 12, 1993 marked the beginning of  true democracy in the country, adding that Abiola’s death was a great sacrifice for mankind.

Ajimobi renewed his  administration’s promises to make life more meaningful to the people of the state and urged them to cooperate with government in that direction.

In their contributions at the forum, Professors Dayo Odebode, Bayo Okunade of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan and Mr Moshood Erubami  of Voters’ Assembly in Ibadan, described late Abiola as one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria.

They said Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, lived his life for the freedom of Nigeria from the hands of the military, noting that it was his unrelenting effort that brought democracy to Nigerians.

They also urged politicians to learn from great Nigerians who fought and sacrificed their lives for the country’s collective gains.(NAN