Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria is synonymous with the struggle of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola to reclaim from the military junta the mandate, which the people of Nigeria had freely given to him in a presidential election acclaimed to be the freest and most transparent in the annals of democratic election in Nigeria.On June 12, 1993, having waited for the military government under the leadership of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to declare him president to no avail, MKO as Abiola was fondly called, declared himself president. He was promptly arrested, and his journey to detention and eventual death began.
Institutionalizing June 12 as Democracy Day by the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, is a validation of the sanctity of the 1993 Presidential Election and the legitimacy of Chief MKO Abiola’s claim to the presidency as well as the memorial of his struggle which ended in a martyrdom of sorts. It is also a reminder to the unity of purpose of the Nigerian people in that democratic exercise, which we should always emulate in the furtherance of our democratic culture.
While we ponder on whether we have been emulating the spirit of the election that gave rise to the June 12 Declaration, which we today celebrate as the apogee of our democratic experience, it is heart-warming to note that since the return to democracy in 1999, we have had a 25-year unbroken Fourth Republic – by far the longest in our history. Even with characteristics that detract from the ideal of the June 12 struggle, the democratic government we have in place is worth celebrating, because we have the opportunity to either renew or replace the mandates of those who govern us in every election cycle.
It is this opportunity available to the people that Nigerians utilized, without shedding blood, to vote out the PDP as the ruling party after 16 years, and vote in the APC, which has been in government for the past 9 years, and is under the scrutiny of Nigerians.
As a member of the APC, I am happy that the Party has made remarkable strides, particularly under the present government of President Bola Tinubu, towards repositioning Nigeria in line with the expectations of our founding fathers and the aspirations of all Nigerians alive.
Of course, we cannot pretend that the bold decisions of President Tinubu to correct the mistakes of the past, have not brought upon us grave economic situations that we wish never were. However, this is a sacrifice we must pay for our future and that of our children. I commend the President for taking the bull by the horns and refusing to let go despite negative criticisms, until El Dorado is achieved.
Meanwhile, while we meditate on the essence of the June 12 memorial, we must consider the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election in the light of the necessity of change for the betterment of Edo State.
It is no gainsaying that the Obaseki/PDP Government of the past 8 years has not come close to what Edo people deserve. We have had a government that is not on the same page with the people. We have seemingly been ruled by strangers who have imposed their will and phoney projects on us while they disregard our needs, which are within their powers to provide. Instead of spreading wealth to the generality of Edo people, they have coveted while trying to impress the gullible with tokens.
It is sad to note that our traditional institution, by which the Edo people derive universal recognition and respect is under siege. This is not surprising because the driver of the PDP government is fundamentally an alien to our culture and traditional values. Funny enough, the PDP want continuity with a character which clones the present governor in every respect of being a stranger. The negative prospect is predictable. Therefore, we must not be swayed by trivial emotions or lucre on offer to mortgage still our happiness and dream of a glorious Edo State.
Edo people must support and vote a person and a party that promise us the elusive expectations. We should be firm in our determination to change parties and enthrone someone who represents our collective interests. We must stand behind one who will give us the projects we deserve and desire, and give maximum regard to our traditional institutions. And that person is the APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, aka Akpakomiza, with his dynamic running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.