Governors Rauf
Aregbesola (Osun State), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo State), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo),
Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti State), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State).
respectively, have all declared today, June 12 as a work-free day in honour of
the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Chief MKO Abiola |
EKITI
Ekiti State Governor,
Mr Ayodele Fayose, in declaring today as Public Holiday to mark the 24th year
of the June 12, 1993 presidential election said it was in the spirit of a
united South-West states and the
Yoruba nation agenda to speak with one voice
at all times.
A statement issued
yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media,
Lere Olayinka, the governor noted that his action was in line with the united
spirit of the Yoruba nation.
According to him, his
administration is taking the step for the first time to align with other South
Western states that had done the same, noting that; “the interest of the people
being represented supersedes political or economic interests.’’
LAGOS
Lagos State
Government declared today public holiday to mark June 12, saying that Lagos
remains committed to the ideals of the annulled 1993 presidential election. In
a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the
government said the holiday was in honour of the ideals which June 12, 1993
presidential election represent being a day that the country experienced an
election that was adjudged as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.
The governor said 24 years after, the ideals of June 12 commemoration were worth celebrating, describing the day as one of the most defining moments of the country’s political history which has positively shaped its democratic rule.
The governor said 24 years after, the ideals of June 12 commemoration were worth celebrating, describing the day as one of the most defining moments of the country’s political history which has positively shaped its democratic rule.
Governor Ambode said
the time has come for Nigerians to go beyond the commemoration and entrench a
viable democracy as a way to immortalise the late presumed winner of June 12,
1993 Presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola through the practice of true
federalism and conduct of credible and fair elections. He said: “June 12, 1993
is a day we must not forget in the annals of our democratic history. Our
present democratic experience may still be far from the ideal but we must all
make concerted efforts to entrench fiscal federalism which is the only way to
achieve true nationhood.”
He also assured that
his administration remains committed to the ideals of June 12 by carrying out
people-oriented programmes across the state and making life more comfortable
for the people. Meanwhile, the State Government, through the office of Civic
Engagement, has perfected arrangement for the annual public symposium which
will hold at the De Roof, LTV 8 in Ikeja, to celebrate June 12. ONDO In Ondo
State, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Segun Ajiboye,
said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice resulted in the hurried departure of
the military from the political scene in 1999. As part of the programmes lined
up to celebrate the day, the government is organizing a lecture, with the
theme: “June 12: A celebration of courage and resilience’. The event will hold
at the International Events and Culture Centre in Akure.
Eminent Nigerians,
including notable activists are lined up to grace the event. Hon. Wale Oshun is
chairman of the occasion, while human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, will be
the guest speaker. Akeredolu asked politicians across the country to always
demonstrate their unquenchable love for the country.
OYO
Oyo State government
has also declared the day as a public holiday. A statement by the Secretary to
the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, said that Governor Abiola Ajimobi
approved Monday as work-free day to commemorate the annulment of the June 12,
1993 elections. The government said the anniversary was also in recognition and
honour of the martyrdom of Chief Abiola, who laid down his life for Nigerians
to enjoy the democratic dividends of today.
OSUN
Osun State has
declared today a public holiday to mark June 12 celebration in the state. A
statement issued on Friday, by the Director, Bureau of Communication and
Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, announced the holiday.
The statement said:
“In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as
Democracy Day, the State Government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12 as
public holiday. “The public holiday became imperative in view of the fact that
June 12 marked a watershed in the history of democratic evolution in the
country.
It was the day the
June 12, 1993 presidential election, adjudged to be the freest and fairest in
the history of Nigeria took place.” Late Bashorun Moshood Abiola won the
election. However, the victory was annulled by the then military head of state,
Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
OGUN
Ogun State government
also declared today as work-free. The Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo
Adeoluwa, in a statement said: “Consistent with the practice of the past six
years, and, as a way of identifying with and keeping the ideals of June 12
alive, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared Monday,
June 12, 2017 as work free.” The statement added: “This year’s celebration will
feature the annual “Democracy Walk”, which will be led by the governor,
starting from the JUNE 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7 in the morning.
The walk is expected
to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola
family homestead, at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area,
where special prayers and speeches will be made. Later in the day, an
inspirational stage play, “Oju Kelekun” (farewell to reproach), directed by
Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre,
between 3:45 and 6:00pm.
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