By Wilson Adekumola
The Aare OnaKakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has urged President Bola Tinubu to remember the struggle of the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and recognize him as former president of Nigeria.
Gani Adams who made this disclosure on Monday at the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 poll, which took place in Ogba, Lagos, explained that the death of the late MKO was not in vain because democracy had come to stay in the country.
While noting that the current constitution of Nigeria pose threat to the growth of democracy in Nigeria, saying the country cannot progress “if our democracy is tied to the 1999 constitution that we are using presently in Nigeria.”
“We cannot achieve much if our democracy is tied to the 1999 constitution that we are using presently in Nigeria.
“The 1979 and 1999 constitutions are tools that the military imposed on us to preserve their atrocities.
“And the constitutions have always remained the bane of Nigeria. That is why we are where we are at the moment.
“Unless we embrace regionalism, and let the federating unit develop at their own pace, Nigeria may find it very difficult to realize its lofty dreams.
“With a new administration in power, there is need for President Bola Tinubu to come up with policy direction that has a human face,” Adams said.
Speaking on the oil theft issue, Adams said there was a need to address the menace drastically, positing that Nigeria cannot afford to be living like slaves in their country, stressing that the dream of the late MKO Abiola was to see Nigeria becoming one of the great countries in the world.
“The dream of the late Abiola is to restore hope peace, patriotism and unity and progress in the country
“Nigeria has all it takes in terms of human and material resources, yet the country has achieved little. It is now the responsibility of the new administration to create the enabling environment for the country to achieve the dreams of the founding fathers and that of those that sacrificed their lives for us to have this democracy,” he said.
“It is on this note that I urge President Bola Tinubu to look back and remember the struggle that gave him the victory in the last election. Mr President must understand very well that the greatest glory he can bestow on the memory of the late Abiola is to fulfil the dream of the late Abiola,” he added.
The Guest Lecturer, Dr Oseni Taiwo Afis, a professor of Philosophy and Director, Special Interventions from the Lagos State University, while speaking on the topic, “June 12 election: Identity Politics and the National Question,” observe the role of socio-cultural groups and individuals in advancing democracy.
He said Abiola’s view on nation-building was on the inclusive government where every ethnic nationality would be included in government, calling on the administration of President Tinubu to address the influx of Nigerians leaving the country for greener pastures in what has been tagged Japa, adding there was a need for the administration to work on how those great Nigerians would return to the country in order to rebuild the country.
The Aare Onakankafo commended the efforts of Oodua People’s Congress in sustaining the ideals of this democracy, expressing the belief that Nigerian history would always be kind to the group.
“We must appreciate the efforts of OPC in sustaining the ideals of this democracy and I believe that Nigerian history will always be kind to the group,” he said.
Also, President of Women Arise Initiative, Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, emphasized the need to continue to re-invent the spirit of June 12 in the national consciousness as was being done annually.
Rematking, the rights activist, urged President Tinubu to de-annul the June 12 election won by the late Abiola, saying that the late business mogul “must be recognized as one of our past presidents” as he died for the collective struggle in the country.
“I am appealing to President Tinubu for the de-annulment of June 12.
Abiola must be recognized as one of our past presidents. He died for our collective struggle.”
