Eminent Nigerians, including former governor, Orji Uzo Kalu, Gani Adams; Shehu Sani, Joe Okei-Odumakin, among others, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to go beyond just announcing June 12 as Democracy Day, and restructure the country.
They made the call at an event organised by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos council, to make the silver jubilee of the death of Abiola, in Lagos.
They stress that restructuring the country will serve as a way of recreating the ideals that the late MKO Abiola, presumed to have won the June 12, 1993 election, which was later annulled by then head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, stood for.
They further urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce the results of the election and publicly declare Abiola the winner, post-humoustly, while the Buhari-led administration should pay all entitlements to the family of the late politician.
Chairman of the occasion, Shehu Sani, commended President Buhari for having the courage to honour Abiola in spite of refusal of former leaders, but warned him not to attach any political motive to the declaration.
The Kaduna senator advised the President Buhari to be wary of fake apostles of June 12 struggle, who according to him, might want to take advantage of the declaration to claim glory for the 1993 election.
“Today is a historic and memorable day. I appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the honour and recognition given to the MKO Abiola and Chief Gani Fawehinmi.”
“He has been able to do what his predecessors could not do in the nineteen years of civil rule in Nigeria,” the senator said.
Sani also commended members of leading pro-democracy group, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Aare Gani Adams, Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) under Frank Kokori and others, who he said stood against the annulment of the election.
