The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has said June 12 had crystallised into a beacon of hope and rallying point for the development of democracy under a progressive agenda.
In a message to mark this year’s Democracy Day, Omo-Agege who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, gave the assurance that the exercise would “deepen our democracy.”
Describing the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, as “icons of democracy,” Omo-Agege called on “those championing the drumbeats of war to have a re-think and explore peaceful democratic channels to air their grievances.”
“Today, as we join hands in recalling the inspiring historical landmark of Nigeria’s first truly free and fair elections, let us collectively resolve that the sacrifices of all the fallen heroes of Democracy would not be in vain.
“In memory of a great icon, Chief MKO Abiola, whose personal imprints in business, politics and humanitarian efforts reached out across the entire federation, let us collectively strive to subscribe to dialogue and avail ourselves of all peaceful democratic channels through which our opinions as well as grievances can find worthy expression.
“Let us remember too, the heroine of the June 12 struggle, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and many other men and women, known and unsung, as well as the many young martyrs of Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.
“The facts of June 12 and the exemplary roles of political leaders, students, voters and all other citizens whose roles culminated into this historical landmark all demand that we build on what we have today through further participation in efforts to deepen the democratic process,’ he said.
He added: “The positive history of June 12, 1993, elections with which millions of citizens across the federation made a trenchant call for unity of purpose under the banner of democracy is still worth sustaining.”
