June 12: Osun Pro-Democracy Activists Want Buhari to Declare June 12 as Democracy Day

Pro-democracy activists in Osun State staged a peaceful demonstration in Osogbo, the state capital on Sunday in commemoration of the 23rds anniversary of the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The rally which set out at the popular Ayetoro junction terminated Olaiya junction where top activists addressed the people on the significance of June 12 election to the nation’s democratic experience.

Participants at the rally include Dr Olowogboyega Oyebade, Comrades Waheed Lawal, Amitolu Shitu, Barr. Rahmon Shenge, Barr. Toyin Eweje, Comrades Wale Adebisi, Waheed Saka, Wale Balogun, Akin Ashifat, Amusan Jonson popularly called “Action J” among others who took turn to address people during the rally.

While calling on the federal government to recognise June 12 as Democracy Day instead of May 29, the activists lauded Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for declaring Monday as public holiday in Osun State to mark the annulment of June 12, 1993 election for the remembrance of late Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola who was believed to have won the election that was adjudged as the freest and fairest election in the country.

The pro-democracy activists advised other state governors to emulate Aregbesola by giving due recognition to June 12, noting that the struggle that followed the annulment of June 12 election paved way for the enthronement of democratic rule in the country in 1999, insisting that June 12 must be seen as the real democracy day.

The activists also lamented that Nigerian citizens have not enjoyed adequate dividends of democracy and called on government at all levels to provide socio-amenities for the people to ameliorate the suffering of the downtrodden mass as intended by MKO Abiola.

While calling on the federal government to address the economic crisis that the nation was plunged into owing to bad leadership, the activists hailed the anti-corruption efforts of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and urged the president to fight corruption to standstill.