June 12 Anniversary Reflects Struggles For Today’s Democracy

Wale Jagun

As Nigeria celebrates the 30th anniversary of June 12, 1993 Presidential election, the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, FCA, has stated that the democracy being enjoyed today is due to sacrifices of many patriotic Nigerians.

Abiru, who stated that pro – democracy activists, media and progressive politicians and many Nigerians sacrificed their freedom and lives, added that the President Bola Tinubu’s emergence as the number citizen is a reward as a major player in the struggle and entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

The Senator stated this in his June 12 statement that he personally signed, and is reproduced below:

Democracy Day: Reminiscing The Exploits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, In June 12 Struggle

The 2023 commemoration of the historic June 12, which is the Nigeria’s Democracy Day, reminisces the hard fought struggle of many pro-democracy activists, media and progressives politicians in the defence of the mandate of the winner of the 1993 Presidential elections, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, and the subsequent enthronement of democratic rule in 1999.

Prominent among many other patriotic Nigerians and activists who dared the brutal junta of Late General Sanni Abacha and put their lives on the line, was then Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was recently elected as the 16th President of Nigeria, in a fiercely contested national election.

Providence rewarded his sacrifice and steadfastness in the defence of democracy, fairness and justice by making him sit on the coveted number seat of the country. Asiwaju Tinubu is an enigma and true democrat who always gives his all for the course he believes in, particularly the struggle that will liberate the people.

In the height of the June 12 struggle, as one of the leaders of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), the formidable body that was mobilising Nigerians and Civil Society Organizations, and other democratic partners to force the military to relinquish Bashorun MKO Abiola’s mandate, Asiwaju Tinubu was targeted by the military.

He escaped abroad through the NADECO route to continue the June 12 struggle. Asiwaju provided support and resources for other comrades in the struggle and secured the support of international partners.

God has made all things beautiful for our esteemed leader. He made Asiwaju to reap the fruit of his labour by making him the 16th president of Nigeria. He rode to power through democratic means. It is really nostalgic!

As we all celebrate this year’s democracy day, I congratulate all Nigerians, particularly pro-democracy agitators and foreign partners who fought for the restoration of democracy in 1999. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency has started out on a strong footing of economic rejuvenation, security architecture overhauling amidst other bold reforms.

Fellow Compatriots, we should all join hands with the current visionary and bold leadership for us to navigate this turbulent period. In the face of global economic headwinds and unprecedented socio-political upheaval that is challenging many nations, our dear nation is blessed to have someone like Asiwaju Tinubu who is vast in financial engineering and management of resources.