8th June, 2023
By Isa Isawade
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu are set to play hosts to veteran pro-democracy activists who fought the Military to a standstill to enthrone democracy in the country.
On Monday, June 12, 2023, it will be thirty years since the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Chief M.K.O Abiola (GCFR) and which was adjudged the best in the history of the country was conducted.
The said election was later annulled by the Military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (aka IBB). The winner, Abiola was later detained by Babangida’s brutal successor, the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Eminent democrats, including the current President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Tinubu decided to put their lives on the line by going into the trenches to fight the Abacha military junta.
Abiola sadly died in detention barely a month after Abacha’s sudden death in office.
Interestingly thirty years after, the man who was the arrowhead of the epochal struggle to revalidate June 12 and return democracy to Nigeria himself became president of the country on May 29, 2023.
Preparations by the Coalition of Pro-Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria in conjunction with the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government are in top gear to stage June 12 @ 30 World Press Conference.
This conference, according to a press release on Tuesday by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Comrade Awa Bamiji, is the 4th in the series and the 12th National Discourse.
It is slated for Monday 12 June 2023 by 12pm at the Afri Hotels Suites and Restaurants Limited, Opposite War College, FCT, Abuja.
Chairmen of the occasion are Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (North), former Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum and Chief Frank Ovie Kokori (South), General – Secretary, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) during the June 12, 1993, democratic struggles for actualisation of June 12, 1993 Election.
Former President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and former Governor of Edo State who is now Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the immediate past Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Dr Rahamatu Tijjani Aliyu, are the father and mother of the day.
Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Hon Tajudeen Abass are Special Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour respectively.
The Guest Speakers are Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State; former Governor of Imo State, Senator Owelle Rochas Okorocha; Comrade Segun Mayegun, President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during the June 12, 1993 democratic struggles; Alhaji Asari Dukobo, Leader, Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force; Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum; Eze Goodluck Obi, an Activist and Royal father in Imo State and Barrister Abukar Omobaba Onalor, Leader, Middle Belt Congress.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, are Chief Host and Host respectively.