12th June, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday charged Nigerians to remain steadfast and guard the nation’s fledging democracy jealously.
Sanwo-Olu spoke at a summit put together by the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement to mark the 30th anniversary of June 12, held at St Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja area of Lagos.
The governor, whose speech was read by his deputy, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, also urged Nigerian to remain united as one great people with common destiny and, most importantly, continue to have faith in the “Renewed Hope” mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said what was most profound about this year’s celebration was the fact that for the first time since 1999, the nation had at the helm of affairs of this country, one of the foremost leaders of that struggle, President Bola Tinubu.
“It is worthy to note that Lagos continues to play prominent roles in the sustenance and development of our democracy.
“As we celebrate today, my message to all Nigerians is to remain steadfast, guard our fledgling democracy jealously, remain united as one great people with common destiny and, most importantly, continue to have faith in the “Renewed Hope” mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu added that as a major player in the journey to enthroning an enduring democracy, the rule of law and social justice, Tinubu would put in his best to fulfil his promises to all Nigerians.
He said the story of June 12 and the events that followed it had been adequately documented and would continue to be told to generations of Nigerians.
“June 12 was, no doubt, a watershed and a turning point in the political history of Nigeria. It was a day Nigerians set aside their multi-ethnic and multi-religious colourations and, united by their common desire to see the end of military dictatorship, voted overwhelmingly for the ticket of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (both Muslims) as President and Vice President on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“In spite of that election receiving global acknowledgement as our freest, fairest and most credible, the military junta scuttled the process and annulled the election. That singular action and its ripple aftermath had a most devastating effect on the social, economic and political fabric of Nigeria.
“The struggle for the de-annulment of that election won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, which was spearheaded by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), was strongly resisted by the Military, with devastating consequences. In the struggle, young Nigerians, including University students, paid the supreme price across the states as well as on the streets of Lagos, which was the epicenter of the protests against the blatant disrespect for the will of the Nigerian people expressed through the ballot,” he said.
The governor paid tribune to heroes in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12, those killed and those still alive, especially late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
The Deputy Governor also represented the Governor at late MKO Abiola’s residence to lay a wreath in honour of the departed.
One of Abiola’s children, Ayo Abiola, speaking at the wreath laying ceremony, said that growing up, having a crowd of people in their house was the norm, especially when his father was in town.
She noted that his father usually addressed the concerns of all those who came visiting for one assistance or the other to the best of his ability.
She hoped and prayed to see great things being done by the present administration, especially holding on and working along on the principles of June 12.