Democracy Day: Kingibe, Akpabio, others highlight significance of June 12

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe said on Monday that the celebration of Democracy Day brings vivid memories of that election as well as sadness at the end of the process with its annulment.

Kingibe was the running mate for Chief Moshood Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993 election in Nigeria, which was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd).

Kingibe was one of the notable Nigerians who, on Monday, attended the inspection of the military parade by President Bola Tinubu as part of activities marking Democracy Day.

He spoke to reporters after the low-key event at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Well, it always brings back very vivid memories of the whole process and sadness at the end of the process with the annulment,” he said.

Ambassador Kingibe said President Tinubu’s Democracy Day nationwide address to Nigerians “set out markers as to where we are coming from,” expressing optimism of brighter future for the Nigeria. 

“He has set up beacons as to the direction we should take to make our country great, to strengthen democracy and to defend democracy at all times. 

“And I believe that his speech was really inspiring and I think all right-thinking men and women of this country should very carefully go through and be inspired by it and be guided by it. It is a great thing.” 

On whether Nigeria has done enough to honour Chief Abiola, Kingibe urged Nigerians not to forget him and what he stood for.

He said: “Well, I don’t know when enough is enough.  May his soul rest in peace. President Abiola is no more; we can’t bring him back.

“And whatever we do, we will never bring him back to life. But we should never forget.

“We should be inspired by his courage. We should be inspired by his steadfast commitment, and we should be inspired by his willingness to sacrifice his life, which he has, and for which, I think, the country will forever be grateful.” 

Others who spoke on the significance of Nigeria’s Democracy Day were former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma; and Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Milestone
Describing Nigeria’s Democracy Day as “a milestone for the country,” Akpabio stated that Nigeria was making progress as far as freedom is concerned.

 “It’s also a period for sober reflection when you look at the events that happened 30 years ago, the late MKO Abiola—may his soul rest in peace—and then we are celebrating this day, you know,  to commemorate that event, it is very humbling. 

“And for us to be alive to see this happening and for almost seven times of change of baton in democracy; it shows clearly that Nigeria is moving forward in freedom.  And I believe, under President Bola Tinubu, also in prosperity.”

According to Akpabio, Nigeria is cashing in on the gains of Democracy Day through 24 years of uninterrupted democracy and would continue to do so by ensuring peace and stability in the country.

“We will cash in by ensuring that there is peace and then ensuring that we work towards a secured nation where everybody can sleep with their eyes closed and, of course, bring back prosperity.  

“We will produce what we consume and consume what we produce.  We are already certain and we believe that the internal refineries are now going to kick in with the abrogation of subsidy which was a terrible cankerworm.”

Speaks to Democracy
Governor Sanwo-Olu said that the celebration speaks to the democracy that Nigerians enjoy today and that some people actually suffered for Nigeria to have freedom. 

“It was the struggle that made sure that we can have an enduring democracy and we have had one now that is on for 24 years and we are thankful that, indeed, there is no alternative to democracy. 

“We need just to continue to nurture it; continue to build on it. Whatever our differences are, let’s all clean it up because there is no better means people’s representation than have representatives of people in position of governance, which reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

“So, it just reflects everything about us and it has been demonstrated here today: our culture, our diversity which will also be in our unity and also a time for everybody in position of leadership to know that we have to do everything to continue to respect the rule of law, ensure that that there is fairness, equity and things that unity us as a people.”

On his part, Uzodinma advised politicians to always work for peace and ensure the sustenance of democracy.

N.O