A human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to recognise other Nigerians who played a part in the struggle for the annulled June 12, 1993, election.
Falana, who appeared as a guest on a Channels TV programme, on Wednesday, said the federal government should go beyond conferring national honours on Abiola and late activist, Gani Fawehinmi, and “identify other heroes of that struggle from all over the country.
“This was not a NADECO and Afenifere affair (alone),” he added
The lawyer explained how the June 12 election birthed the struggle by civil society organisations in the country.
He said after the 1993 election, Bashir Tofa, the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC), congratulated MKO Abiola and refused to give in to the pressure of heading to the tribunal.
“The point has been made abundantly clear, after that election, Bashir Tofa, the other candidate congratulated his opponent, and that is what is done in any civilised society; he was under pressure to go to the tribunal, but he said no.
“From that moment, the civil society came in; the progressive trade unions came in and made the country ungovernable for the dictator.
“The beauty of those who are coming from the civil society who have found themselves either in the executive or the legislature is to ensure that those ideals are actualised and implemented in government.
“That is why June 12 is so significant.”
DAILY POST reports that the federal government officially set aside June 12 as Democracy Day as a mark of honour to MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election.
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