NEWSPOLITICS

32 Years After, Group Wants Tinubu To Recognise the Coalition of June 12 Activists and Martyrs

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Coalition of Civil Society groups under the umbrellas of Defend Nigeria Movement (DNM) and Nigerians Unite for Democracy (NUD) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recognise those who fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections. The election which was adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria was won by late Chief MKO Abiola but was annulled by the Military government headed by Gen, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB). Speaking on Thursday at a press briefing, held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, to commemorate the 32 years of the annulment of the election, the Convener of the group, Razaq Olokoba said Nigeria needs to deepen the lessons of June 12.

“We recollect with nostalgia how Nigerians all over the country on the historic day of June 12 1993, went to the polls in a peaceful and cordial atmosphere, jettisoning ethnic, religious and other primordial sentiments which have always divided us, to speak with one voice as a people with a common destiny for the peace, progress and prosperity of fatherland. That historic election which has been variously adjudged as the freeest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history, was sadly and treasonable annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida military junta for his interest of self perpetuation in power.

“However, Nigerians in unison with a common destiny, rose in stout defiance of the guns and bullets to insist on the de-annulment of the election at great cost of loss of human lives, limbs, property and freedom which culminated in the forced retreat of the military from Nigeria’s political life and birth the current democratic dispensation on May 29, 1999.

“June 12 has become a symbol of national unity and consciousness, showcasing Nigerians’ ability to unite around an ideology despite our differences. This event has sown seeds of national consciousness, promoting a sense of togetherness and shared identity.

“The annulment of the June 12 election didn’t just mark a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic journey, it is also a symbol of our democratic culture, resilience and self awareness. This event has inspired a bibliography of its own, highlighting its significance in Nigeria’s history. The declaration of June 12 as a national public holiday by President Muhammadu Buhari has given the epoch its pride of place in Nigeria’s socio-political calendar. This move has helped to promote the value and symbolism of June 12. However, we need to deepen the gains of the lessons of June 12.”

The group noted that June 12, 1993 struggle was a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, symbolizing the fight against military tyranny and the quest for good governance.

“Thirty-two years after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the inspiration from the courage and determination of our struggle still motivates us. We must use this medium to congratulate Nigerians for keeping faith with democracy despite the challenges that confront us as a people with 26 years of unprecedented and unbroken democratic system and like the saying goes, a people united, can never be defeated.

“Today, no matter the antics and provocation, the human dignity that democracy confers on human beings is our lot as we make our laws in a civilian parliament and not by decree as witnessed under military despotism. We are consolidating our democracy no doubt with its own glaring challenges and improvements is imminent and possible.”

The group saluted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the fundamental and significant economic decisions he has taken in his two years in office.

“While acknowledging the initial pains and inconvenience, we congratulate and commend President Bola Tinubu for his bold and daring economic reforms which has extinguished the hemorrhaging of our economy through the termination of the fuel subsidy regime and the unification of the foreign exchange system. By these two critical policies, the President Tinubu administration has saved the country the loss of about $10bn annually in the last two years and the result is that the three tiers of government now receive almost triple their allocations from the federation account to enable them provide the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

“We can all see the gains of the economic re-engineering of the President Bola Tinubu administration begin to manifest in infrastructural renewal as well as other policies which are making positive impacts in every other sectors of the Nigerian economy, eg. Lagos Calabar Coastal highway, Lagos Sokoto highway, naira for crude, NELFUND, tax reforms bills, etc.

“However, as much as we are holding the federal government accountable for its stewardship in the last two years of the President Bola Tinubu administration, it is very important for us to demand same from our states and local government councils administration who are beneficiaries of this unprecedented largesse from the federation account now.

“Under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, things are getting gradually into shape and it is not by accident or luck, but rather a product of our collective struggle for a better society even as we recognize President Tinubu as then Lagos State governor provided succour by making Lagos State conducive for the struggle and which makes Lagos State as the epi center and this atmosphere has been sustained by subsequent Lagos State governments till date. It is our belief that to who much is given, much is expected hence we should continue to give our unreserved support to the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

The group also commended the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his infrastructural development.

“Importantly, special mention must be made of Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu the executive governor of Lagos State who has continued on the templates for political, economic and infrastructural development of the state as laid down in the state by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the then governor of the state. Without a blink of an eye, Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu has not only sustained the developmental architecture of the state, but he continues to sustain the progressive legacies left behind by President Tinubu’s administration in the state.”

The group was unequivocal about their demand for recognition for the people that suffered and those who died fighting for June 12.
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“However, we make bold to state that this recognition appears to have been one-sided. The heroic deeds of the grassroots people defined that struggle. Their resilience bore the banner forward and their sweet and blood watered the flowers of struggle. Too many unsung heroes. Too many forgotten ordinary people. President Tinubu, himself a player in the board room and in the street of the struggle, need to pay attention to this.

“Therefore, we demand that the President give due recognition to the June 12 Activists and Martyrs. There should also be a monument to the unsung heroes of June 12. They are our own unknown soldiers.

“The government at all levels needs to urgently address our security challenges by leveraging technology and community participation. State police and community policing have become a matter of urgency, beyond rhetorics and sentimental considerations. Security in the real sense should be the collective responsibility of the people, not as empty declarations but with indigenous and innovative inputs.

“We equally salute the tenacity and perseverance of our people in standing firm and keeping faith with democracy despite the challenges and provocations and we urge them to remain resolutely undeterred despite attempts to gain political capital and make a mockery of their economic plights by agents of “ebi n pawa” or “we are hungry” which has now become a political and blackmail slogan.”

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