Defend Nigeria Movement (DNM) and Nigeria Unite for Democracy (NUD) have demanded recognition of the coalition of June 12 activists and matyrs as the nation marks 32nd anniversary of June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by the late Chief MKO Abiola, which was annulled by former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Addressing the media at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Razaq Olokoba, convener of the groups, said they “recollect with nostalgia how Nigerians on the historic day 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.”

Olokoba stressed that “the historic election which has been adjudged as the freeest and fairest election in Nigeria’s history, was sadly and treasonable annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida military junta for his interest of self perpetuation in power.

“However, Nigerians rose in defiance of the guns and bullets to insist on the de-annulment at great cost of loss of human livesand freedom, which culminated in the forced retreat of the military and birth of the democratic dispensation on May 29, 1999.”

He said June 12 is a symbol of unity and consciousness, showcasing our ability to unite for an ideology despite the differences.

The activist noted that the annulment is a turning point in our democratic journey and a symbol of resilience and self awareness.

He said: “This event has inspired a bibliography of its own, highlighting its significance in Nigeria’s history.“Declaration of June 12 as a national holiday by 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 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.”

He added that 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.”

Olokoba emphasised that “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.”

He explained that Nigerians can all see the gains of the economic re-engineering of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which he said have begun to manifest in infrastructural renewal as well as other policies which he said 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,” he said.

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