REMEMBERING MKO: SANWO-OLU CHARGES NIGERIANS ON SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY|Blissful Affairs Online

REMEMBERING MKO: SANWO-OLU CHARGES NIGERIANS ON SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, guard the fledgling democracy jealously and remain united as one great people.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat today at an event to commemorate the National Democracy Day Celebration, held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church and the Late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola’s residence in Ikeja, Lagos, said Nigerians should continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sanwo-Olu stated that the story of June 12 and the events that followed have been adequately documented and will continue to be told to generations of Nigerians, adding that “June 12 was, no doubt, a watershed and a turning point in the political history of Nigeria”.

He said, June 12, 1993, 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 as President and Vice President on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP). 

He added that the Late MKO Abiola died wanting good governance and bringing out millions of Nigerians from poverty.

The Governor also urged everyone to deemphasise religion, ethnic affiliations and unite, saying “We must unite as people, come together to make our country great”.

Earlier in his remarks, the former Secretary-General, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Pa. Ayo Opadokun stated that Nigerians must collaborate with President Bola Tinubu for him to perform well and to be able to deliver the country we all dream of.

He noted that the challenges before us are great and we should be mindful of our nation, saying, “Yoruba people must not fail the nation, all of us must combine and collaborate with the new government for him to perform very well”.

Also, in his welcome address, the President of the Alliance of Yoruba  Democratic Movements (AYDM), Mr. Adewale Adeoye charged Nigerians to discourage the younger generation from calling for military rule, adding that the worse version of democratic rule is far better than the most benevolent military dictatorship.

His words, “Under military rule, Nigerians were never part of the budget process, we could not question the horrendous financial crimes committed by the military administration, free speech was an aberration, newspaper houses were shut, journalists were detained or killed and Military rule is evil”. 

During the visit by the Governor to the residence of the Abiolas in Ikeja, President and Founder of the House of Politics (HOP) Nationwide, Alhaja Aminat Irawo tasked President Tinubu to declare the Late Chief MKO Abiola as the winner of the 1993 presidential election and all entitle should be given to him as the former President of Nigeria.

The Daughter of the Late MKO, Mrs. Lola Edewor Abiola commended the state government for their annual visits and support to the family, she noted that Mr. Sanwo-Olu has been championing democracy in the state.

She added her prayer and hope is to see Nigeria progress as a well-developed country which is what June 12 stands for.

 DG/TMS/KO

Captions:

Pic 1: (L-R) Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, presenting an award of Pillar of Democracy to the former Secretary General, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun, on behalf of Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) at an event to commemorate the National Democracy Day Celebration, held today at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja. 

Pic 2: (L-R) Member, Alliance of Yoruba  Democratic Movements (AYDM) Chief Kunle Oshodi;  President, AYDM, Mr. Adewale Adeoye; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; former Secretary General, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun; and Secretary of AYDM,  Mr. Popola Ajayi at an event to commemorate the National Democracy Day Celebration, held today at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ikeja.

Pic 3: (L-R) President and Founder of the House of Politics (HOP) Nationwide, Alhaja Aminat Irawo; Son of Late Chief MKO Abiola, Mr. Lekan Abiola; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; former Secretary General, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ayo Opadokun and Daughter Late Chief MKO Abiola, Mrs. Ayo Abiola during a visit today, at the residence of Chief MKO Abiola in Ikeja.