Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, said on Wednesday that with the declaration of June 12 as democracy day, memories of late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the then election, will continue to linger on in the minds of Nigerians.
He said this at Ogba area of Lagos while speaking at the annual June 12 event organised by the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), in commemoration of the epoch-making event.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo, in his remarks, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising the efforts of the late Abiola and several other heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price, describing the recognition as indeed a reward for Nigeria’s democrats.
“There is no other worthy price than the one given to the memory of the late Moshood Abiola, through the declaration of June 12 as the official democracy day,” he said.
“In June 1993, Abiola began a process to liberate his country, Nigeria, from forces of darkness. He took a decision in 1993 when the June 12 presidential election was annulled, and enforced this patriotic zeal when he was arrested in 1994, that never again would force of darkness prevail over forces of light in Nigeria,” he recalled.
He said the lesson to all Nigerians concerning June 12 struggle was that people should not give up a struggle. despite challenges.
“June 12 is a lesson to all Nigerians that you don’t give up a struggle. Despite its challenges, Nigerians should not give up on democracy because herein lies our future,” Adams said.
