June 12: Oriolowo Calls For Strengthened Institutions, Praises Aregbesola’s Foresight

A Gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Adelere Oriolowo, has showered encomium on the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over his foresight in honouring the winner of the annulled June 12 Presidential elections in 1993, Late Chief MKO Abiola, before others.

This is contained in a Democracy Day release signed by his media team, a copy of which was made available to this medium.

The June 12 Presidential Elections adjudged the freest in the history of our dear nation, saw Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious cleavages, unite to vote for late MKO Abiola. The people spoke with their votes which is characteristic of a true democracy.

The World Bank Project Coordinator said the number one citizen of the state, who started honouring MKO Abiola years back, had also left a legacy for future leaders in the South West to learn from, while noting that such consideration was unprecedented in the history of the state and country at large.

He, however, called for the strengthening of the nation’s Institutions, saying that was the only true measure of democracy. He reiterated that the only way for Nigeria to take its rightful place in the comity of nations was if her institutions were free of political, ethnic and religious interference.

Oriolowo, was however enthusiastic about the news of President Muhammadu Buhari’s intentions to confer the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR national honour posthumously on Late Chief MKO Abiola, saying it was a great news to the country’s democracy.

He said, “It is with great joy that I received the news of President Buhari’s intention to bestow the GCFR honour on the late winner of the 1993 Presidential elections. This singular action will no doubt heal ethnic wounds in the country and put the nation on the right path of recovery.”

The Iwo born politician however called on all and sundry to continually support efforts by the Governor and the President in giving direction to the Country’s democracy by immortalizing Late Chief MKO Abiola.