by Abdul Usman Bako,
The Campaign for Democracy, CD joins other progressively minded Nigerians and members of the international community in commemorating the 23 years of what has remained adjudged as the freest and fairest election in our Nation’s history, the June 12 Presidential election.
Twenty three years down the lane, it is sad, that the dreams of the heroes of the June 12 struggle, are yet to be actualized. Most worrisome, is the inability of our country to meet up, talk less of surpassing the historic feet attained through the June 12 election, by being able to conduct a credible, free and fair election.
The developments in our nation’s polity today, has demanded that we further protect our hard earned democracy and prevent any attempt to abuse the principles of democracy and the rule of law, in our country.
This year’s commemoration of June 12, is another opportunity for us to remind ourselves of the greatness that are inherent in our country.
The presumed winner of the June 12 Presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, remains one of the greatest persons produced by our country, not also forgetting the numerous persons that paid the ultimate sacrifice, during the struggle for the actualization of the mandate.
It is therefore our hope, that the current political class in Nigeria, will emulate the virtue of selflessness of Chief Abiola, by promoting a culture of politics without bitterness, devoid of ethnicity, religious and other faulty sentiments. They must at all times ensure, that the welfare of the people remain the focus of their programmes, policies and political direction.
Finally, we demand that the federal government must imoortalise Chief MKO Abiola by posthumously declaring him as a former President of Nigeria. This remains the only way that the sacrifice paid by Chief MKO Abiola and other heroes of democracy in Nigeria, is not in vain.
Signed:
Comrade Abdul Usman Bako
President, CD
