June 12: Abiola’s family urges government to fulfill its promises

The family of late MKO Abiola, has lamented that the Nigerian government is yet to fulfill its promises to the family since the declaration of June 12 as the nation’s democracy day.

 

The Secretary of the family, Rahaman Abiola disclosed this in an interview with journalists when a delegation of the Ogun State government, led by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele visited the Abeokuta family house of Abiola to celebrate the June 12 democracy day.

 

President Mohammadu Buhari last year moved the nation’s democracy day celebration from May 29 to June 12 to honour Abiola, the hero of Nigeria’s democracy.

 

But, Rahaman Abiola declared that since the declaration by President Buhari, the family is yet to benefit anything from the Federal government.

 

The Secretary who lamented the death of Abiola, the breadwinner of the family, said the Federal Government has failed to fulfill all the promises made to the family.

 

He commended the Federal Government for honouring Abiola with the award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and the family for declaring June 12 as Nigeria Democracy day.

 

“We are happy indeed that President Muhammadu Buhari deemed it fit to honour Abiola by giving him the GCFR and made June 12 , the official Democracy Day in Nigeria,” Rahaman Abiola said.

 

“So far so good, we have not benefitted anything from the Federal Government. 

 

“Ogun State Government right from  Olusegun Osoba to Governor Gbenga Daniel, to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and now to Governor Dapo Abiodun, they always honour MKO Abiola every June 12. 

 

“Ogun State Government will always come with all the machineries to make the day memorable and to recognise that this man was born in this area and this is his hometown.

 

“Our breadwinner has gone. Promises from the Federal Government, we have not seen it yet. On June 12, state government is trying its best. I give kudos to them on June 12. Governor comes here always to pay solitary to the house and empower us to make sure June 12 is celebrated all the time.”

 

Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun has called on those calling for the disintegration of Nigeria to shelve the idea and embrace unity in the spirit of June 12.

 

The Governor who stated this at an event organised by the State government to mark the celebration of democracy day, said “MKO Abiola and his mandate should serve as a reminder to all of us that we are stronger together as a Nation. 

 

“He (Abiola) broke all barriers such as religion and ethnicity that are being used in Nigeria today to divide us. He won across the length and breadth of this country, even at the backyard of his main opponents. It was a phenomenon that should remind us that we are greater than our challenges. 

 

“Unless and until we embrace the essence of the MKO persona, internalize belief in self, faith in a united country and other initiatives that help to engender a sense of shared heritage amongst Nigerian people, we will continue to be a country in search of Nationhood. 

 

“Let us push all the negative and divisive forces and policies on the back-foot and embrace the symbolism of June 12. Let us join hands to make Nigeria work for all Nigerians,” he  stated.

 

Rahaman Abiola adds that this will end all quest for self-determination and other sectarian agitations and calm frayed nerves as June 12 represents strength in the nation’s unity, indivisibility and oneness.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim