June 12: No true democracy in Nigeria – Osun monarch

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June 12: No true democracy in Nigeria – Osun monarch

 

Prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, the Orangun of Oke-Ila Orangun, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, has said that Nigeria has not experienced genuine democracy despite its 20 years of uninterrupted democratic rule.

The monarch stated this on Wednesday while delivering the 2019 Democracy Day Lecture organised by the Ondo State Government in Akure.

Oba Abolarin, who bemoaned the military interjection in civil rule in the country, said: “Nigeria would have developed more, but for the military interjection, which caused a major setback to the country.

“It might take Nigeria between 20 and 30 years before it could witness genuine democracy which all Nigerians will enjoy.”

Also, the monarch stressed the need for the Federal government to recognise the heroes and heroines of democracy in the country, recalling that the roles played by many activists to ensure civil rule in the country were uncommon.

He mentioned late Chief Bola Ige, Alfred Rewani, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya and Gani Fawehinmi as some of the Nigerians who played significant roles at ensuring that Nigeria returned to democratic rule.

The monarch lauded the roles played by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in the process of returning to civil rule, recalling that many members of the organisation were killed and jailed while struggling for civil rule.

He lamented that many of those who fought for democracy in Nigeria did not live to enjoy it.

Also, he opined that many of the present crop of leaders in the country would likely die before the country enjoys true and real democracy.

Speaking, Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu said the recognition given to June 12 as Democracy Day was commendable and thereby expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the recognition.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, Akeredolu urged Nigerians to do everything to sustain democracy.

 

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June 12: How South East was denied opportunity to perform at Democracy Day celebration

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June 12: How South East was denied opportunity to perform at Democracy Day celebration

 

The South East region was not given the opportunity to perform during the cultural display at the National Democracy Day on Wednesday.

While the South West, North and South-South regions all showcased their cultural values, the South East was left.

The Yoruba of the South West were the first to showcase their cultural display to the gathering while the Fulanis of the North stepped in.

This was followed by the South-South which displayed their fishermen traditional dance steps.

However, we observed that as the South East prepared to take the stage with their masquerades and dancers, the guest of honour, President Muhammadu Buhari was ushered in for his inaugural speech.

One of the dancers, who spoke to us but in condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment, lamenting the time and resources she had invested into practising and rehearsing for the event.

Asked on how she felt about not coming out to perform, she said, “Well, at this point, there’s nothing I can do about it.

“There were four regions that prepared for the traditional dances in this event but I wonder why the Southeast was subsumed into the South-South.

“Maybe they were running out of time, I can’t tell.”

While the South-South dancers were performing, the moderator had said, “People of the South East and South South are mostly fishermen. Fishing is a tradition in the regions.”

The event host stated this when the Igbo dancers were still seen hanging around waiting to be called on stage.

 

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MKO Abiola: Obasanjo was one of architects of June 12 annulment – Kingibe alleges

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MKO Abiola: Obasanjo was one of architects of June 12 annulment – Kingibe alleges

 

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has alleged that ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo was one of the architects of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Kingibe, who was the running mate of late MKO Abiola under the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP, spoke while appearing on Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, yesterday.

He stated that though, Obasanjo attempted to convene a meeting of statesmen to address the aftermath of the June 12 crisis, President Muhammadu Buhari only attended the inaugural meeting and stopped because of the direction of the session.

Kingibe said: “In the aftermath of the annulment, one of the architects of the annulment, former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to get some elder statesmen (former presidents and so on); I think at the African Leadership Forum to see how the aftermath of the annulment could be addressed or to see how the problems arising from the annulment could be addressed.

“And I think President Muhammadu Buhari did attend the meeting once, the inaugural meeting. I understood that when he (Buhari) saw the direction of the meeting, he decided not to attend again.

“Every time the issue of the annulment came up over the years, his position was very clear; he was very firm that the election was free, fair and there was a clear winner. And that the annulment was unjustified.

“So, having had the opportunity, perhaps, to right the wrong, I won’t be surprised he did so because it is in his character to try and do justice, however, belated and under whatever circumstances.”

 

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FG declares June 12 public holiday

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FG declares June 12 public holiday

 

The Federal Government has declared Wednesday as public holiday to commemorate the maiden National Democracy Day.

This was contained in a statement released by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah. The Federal government congratulated Nigerians at home and abroad for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.

The Permanent Secretary called on Nigerians to continue to cherish the sacrifice made by heroes of democracy, particularly those who lost their lives in the struggle for the actualisation of democratic governance in the country.

 

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