By Seyi Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has commended Chief Moshood Abiola, the winner of the annulled presidential election held on June 12, 1993, as well as other democratic heroes such as General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane.
In his Democracy Day broadcast on Wednesday, the President also recognized other heroes such as Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, and Chief Bola Ige, as well as other eminent Nigerians who made significant sacrifices to restore democracy in the country.
The President warned Nigerians to be wary of anyone who could want to destabilize the present democratic system.
He acknowledged the economic hardships in the country and expressed his commitment to supporting the citizens.
He said, “On this day, 31 years ago, we entered our rites of passage to becoming a true and enduring democratic society.
“Going through this passage was hard and dangerous. During the fateful six years that followed, we fought and struggled for our natural rights as human beings put on this earth by the divine hand of our Creator.
“We lost great heroes and heroines along the way. In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others sacrificed their very lives. They bravely surrendered their futures, so that our nation might have a better one.
“Let us honour the memories of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, and others who have transited to the higher realm.”
The President emphasised that the sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, Prof Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, and many others should never be forgotten, noting that they endured the hardships of life in exile for at least six years.
He also reminisced about how pro-democracy activists at home, including Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Chief Olu Falae, and other National Democratic Coalition leaders like Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun, maintained pressure on the military leaders while some of their comrades were in exile.
Tinubu stated that their sacrifices and the significant contributions that resulted from their unselfish commitment would never be repaid or forgotten.
