Osun: Human Right Activists Celebrate MKO Abiola, Urges Buhari To Announce 1993 Presidential Poll Result

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Scores of Human Right Activists in Osun state under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Groups on Wednesday morning thronged the streets of Osogbo, the state capital to mark this year June 12 celebration.

The activists numbering about 5,000 commended President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, and his running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe.

While backing the declaration of June 12 as the new Democracy Day, the human right activists said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (then the National Electoral Commission) should declare the results of the 1993 election.

Speaking, Comrade Waheed Lawal, State Coordinator Justice Now Foundation hailed President Buhari for declaring June 12 a national holiday.

Lawal said all the human right groups have resolved that Buhari should please declare Abiola and Kingibe as ex-president and former vice-president.

He further said that the Buhari led administration should also approve the entitlements due them as former president and vice-president, respectively.

Echoing a similar view, Comrade Amitolu Shittu, Chairman CDRP said the only way through which Abiola’s name could be immortalized was for the federal government to declare him as ex-president.

Shittu added that there is no gain saying that late Abiola laid down his life for the emancipation and libration of people of the country, saying Abiola would remain the hero and icon of true democracy.

Comrade Wale Adebisi, Director OlaOni Center and Barr Senge Rahman, Osun Development Agenda said June 12 is the genuine democracy Nigeria is enjoying.