Former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to declare the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 election President of Nigeria posthumously.
Tinubu said this in a statement as part of activities marking the anniversary of June 12 in Lagos.
“Now the most honourable thing to do is for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, to declare Abiola as the second duly elected executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria posthumously.
?“We should accord him, even if posthumously, the recognition and all the rights and privileges due to that office. Finally, we should declare MKOs birthday a national public holiday, just as it was done in the United States for Martin Luther King. Or June 12, the date of the election could be declared a public holiday”, he said.?
He expressed regret that the annulment of that election punctured Nigeria’s journey towards establishing a democratic society and aborted the country’s boldest attempt at nationhood.?
“Since then, we have had several false starts and have conducted national elections that have failed to meet the very standard set by 1993 election. June 12, no matter how hard some people try to bury it, ignore it or seek to diminish it remains a watershed in Nigerian politics.
“Rather than just dwell on it, we must seize upon the spirit of June 12 to birth the Nigeria of our dream. The spirit of June 12 is that of patriotism, that of a burning desire to join hands to build a better country. June 12 was a rejection of religious and tribal politics, a demonstration of commitment to the ideals of a free society and that of a dogged spirit to vote for the best candidates. These are the goals we are still trying hard to achieve but have failed till date”, he said.
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