Democracy Day is commemorated in honor of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola
Prominent pro-democracy crusaders and notable members of civil society groups will storm Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday, June 12, for this year’s Democracy Day.
They will be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at Eagle Square, where there will be a military parade in the morning, and at the State Banquet Hall, Aso Villa in the evening for dinner.
It will be a reunion of sorts for freedom fighters who pressed for the return of civil rule during the long period of military rule.
Democracy Day is being celebrated in memory of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The poll was annulled by former military President Ibrahim Babangida, who stepped aside in August of that year.
Five years ago, former President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as a public holiday and conferred on Abiola the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the highest honour in the land.
Many pro-democracy activists under the banner of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), led by the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Anthony Enahoro, and Senator Abraham Adesanya; NALICON, Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) and Campaign for Democracy (CD), were in the trenches.
President Tinubu, who was an SDP senator in that botched Third Republic, was a prominent NADECO chieftain who worked closely with other compatriots for the actualisation of the mandate and transfer of power to legitimate authorities.
Although the poll was not de-annulled and Abiola never came back alive from a five-year detention, the pro-democracy forces never relented until the military disengaged from office.
During the battle, many of them were detained; their families were harassed, their residences torched and some went into exile.
Many of the fighters have died. They included Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, Pa Enahoro, Pa Ajasin, Adesanya, Solanke Onasanya, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Frank Kokori, Senator Olabiyi Durojaye, Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Marshall Ndubusi Kanu, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Alhaji Lam Adesina, and Adebayo Adefarati, Arthur Nwankwo, and Rev. Tunji Adebiyi.
Among those alive are Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Kofo Buknor, Olisa Agbakoba, Ayo Obe, Major Umar, Femi Falana, Ayo Opadokun, Olawale Oshun, Dr. Amos Akingba, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, and Dr. Tunji Abayomi.
A source said President Tinubu has invited some of them in recognition of their contributions to the titanic struggle.
He lamented that many in positions of authority today were oblivious to the hard battle for democracy, which led to many casualties.
The source added: “It is good that many of us are being invited by an actor and participant who has institutional memory. We hope that Nigeria will imbibe the lessons of June 12 and rise again in unity, in its journey to greatness under the leadership of President Tinubu.”
