June 12th: Tiptoeing round democracy day and the ghost of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola?

By Bernadette Idalu

The late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola may have died in his prime, with an unfulfilled promise for a better Nigeria due to the June 12, 1993, annulment of the presidential election by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Rtd, but his ghost, it seems, has refused to keep mute nor let go, shouting out loud at political corridors, "Fulfill my democratic promise for a better Nigeria."

The predicament of MKO Abiola rings a bell on broken promises, of a country that thrives on ethnicity and fragmentation along the lines of religion, of a country refusing to harness the energy and harmony that binds it together for instance during soccer tournaments. Even in death, the annulment of this election hangs like a sore thumb on an imaginary artist's canvas, it drips, the putrid stench that accompanies this dripping soils the very fabrics of the Nigerian democratic process, igniting fiery hearts of activists to advocacies for justice.

Even when Nigerians, along the line and over the years, opted to tiptoe around burning issues relating to the actualization of this democratic process, this was understandable. It is part of human nature to look away sometimes, especially when things don't concern or affect you directly. 

June 12, has however, unconsciously, become a day of reckoning for Nigerians, for, on this day, political consciousness got awakened when the masses stood waiting to become beneficiaries of the democratic process.

In Edo State, the New Festival Hall, Edo State Government House, Dennis Osadebey Way, was a beehive of activities as the Edo State Government in collaboration with members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, marked this day with tributes and eulogies celebrating protagonists and their impact on Nigerian democracy and Edo State. 

APC members came in their numbers and they officially welcomed new entrants into their fold. Neda Imasuen, honourable Member, representing Edo South Senatorial district at the Nigerian Senate for instance, bid farewell to the Labour Party, citing the need to bring the dividends of democracy closer to constituents within his political jurisdiction.

Mounting the rostrum, Governor Monday Okpebholo revealed his political roadmap. He stated that his administration was keen about building a new Edo State that works and protects its people based on the delivery of tangible results tied to the fulfilment of campaign promises.

Governor Okpebholo while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his renewed hope agenda, a reenactment of Abiola's "Hope agenda," observed that despite the odds against Abiola, he stood for the people, for democracy and for a Nigeria where hope could thrive.  He reminded people of the fact that June 12, being the new democracy day, was a call to justice, unity, and purpose.

Earlier, in a press statement shared to pressmen to herald the event, Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa upheld that the only way to honour those who fought for the country’s democracy was for Nigerians to continue with the fight for a united and indivisible nation. He said there was no alternative to democratic rule despite challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, messages of goodwill flowed in abundant supply from the mouths of political figures present at the occasion. In his welcome address, APC State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe who pointed out that though Edo state experienced the antics of antidemocratic forces that almost destroyed the fabrics of the state for eight (8) consecutive years, posited that the coming of Governor Okpebholo obliterated previous negative results. This, he asserted, was due to channeled  energy towards integration of all and building up on infrastructures. 

In his goodwill message, APC Edo South Senatorial District Leader and Director of Administration and Logistics, Social Democratic Party, SDP, (For the Moshood Abiola Presidential campaign,) Senator Mathew Uroghide reminisced on the vital role played by political leaders of Edo state origin in the struggle to actualize June 12 and subsequent sojourn of some key figures in exile subsequently.

Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, EDHA, Blessing Agbebaku, spoke about the beauty of discharging his duties as a member of the the state's opposition party. He appreciated the governor for his humaneness by not intimidating him during the process of discharging his duties. This act he stated, was what endeared him towards switching political platforms. Haven already aligned with the ruling party at a different fora, Agbebaku assured the governor of the collaboration of the EDHA at expediting on legislative processes to give speedy delivery to electioneering promises.

Nonetheless, Hon. Preston Amayo, Vice Chairman, Egor Local Government Council who spoke with members of the press concerning the event, said it was a remarkable day in the annals of the Nigerian democratic process. He said it was the purview which has enabled Nigerians to choose whomsoever they wish to lead them. 

On the other hand, at state level, he said he was on ground to celebrate with the state government based on the defection of members of the opposition party into the ruling party, a process he said was worth celebrating. He gave good ratings to the governor based on his discharge of duties.

Former Speaker, EDHA, Rt. Hon. Frank Abumere Okiye stated that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. He said all democratically minded individuals of Edo State must be at alert, noting that it was not yet Uhuru.

He said the principle of democracy asserts that the rights of another person is of more importance than even your right, hence the need to appreciate the liberalism that democracy provides - that every man has a right to himself and has the right to live a peaceful life. 

Aside building roads, it is time to reveal ourselves to the international world that we are capable of listening to the voice of the people, which is what the president is doing, Okiye asserted. He stated, "As long as we continue to be vigilant and at alert in this country, democracy would endure in this country."

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Gani Audu speaking from the Edo State perspective said the state is doing well. On personal note, he intoned that it was trite to do nice things to people. Annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, he stated, was a blow to the Nigerian people.

He maintained that the fact that government went ahead to give significance to the date by recognising (fixing it) as the new democracy day, is a good development for the entire Nigerian people and the country. "We are experiencing what democracy should be." Also, we have a compassionate and caring governor, he insisted, a scenario he labeled as a "win- win" situation for Edo State, which he opined, should be sustained.

Other APC leaders who spoke eulogizing government and the democratic process included Hon. Pius Odubu, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), Hon. Omorede Osifo and a host of other speakers while a retinue of political appointees, APC stalwarts and dignitaries across the eighteen local government areas graced the occasion.