June 12: Akeredolu Names Akure Park After MKO Abiola

Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has named the Democracy park, Akure after the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Late Chief Moshood Olawale Abiola.

The Governor, who made the declaration at a public lecture organized by the state government to mark the 24th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, said the park located at the market square, Akure will henceforth be known and called “MKO Abiola Park.”

Governor Akeredolu said the decision of his government was to honour Abiola, who he said laid the foundation for the current democracy being enjoyed in the country today through the June 12, 1993 election, which he (Abiola) won.

He said the honour was “our own little way of appreciating the good deeds of Abiola and a way of honouring him for paying the supreme sacrifice for his father’s land.”

Akeredolu said “the June 12 presidential election laid concrete slabs on the grave of mendacity and treachery. Nigerians spoke with one voice. They opted for a promise of redemption from poverty.

Despite all contrivance, devised and mounted to scuttle the process, most eligible voters trooped out to cast their ballots. From Lagos to Edo, Delta and all the Eastern States, it was MKO Abiola/Kingibe, Muslim/Muslim ticket. From the South South to North Central, the choice was the same. From North East to North West, the enthusiasm was electrifying.”

He said “we are gathered here today to remember the historic event of June 12, 1993. We remember the heroes and heroine of the titanic struggle, the consequence of which is the democratic governance of today. We retain fond memories of the dead and celebrate the living among them. We can never repay the debt of gratitude owed these icons. We can, however, show appreciation for their sacrifices by embracing rectitude in all our dealings.”

"If the basis of most agitations has been to ensure that the mass of the people live well, the only evidence of an appreciative society lies in the quality of service to the people. This is the only reason which justifies the existence of government. The condition of living of the people should be a direct reflection of the quality of governance,” he added.

According to him “June 12 is not to celebrate MKO Abiola alone. But to celebrate democracy, emancipation and freedom. It is therefore a collective celebration for all Nigerians irrespective of religion or ethnic affiliation. June 12 is not about Yoruba alone but about the entire entity call Nigeria. The day was unique to our national unity and together as a nation we must recognize the day.”

Akeredolu who declared that June 12, 1993 paved the way for the May 29 democracy day, stressed that June 12 1993 gave birth to democracy in Nigeria, hence the need for all tiers of government to give proper recognition to the day.

Delivering his lecture entitled “June 12! Hope ’93: Dream Deferred”, human rights activist and Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) stressed the need for restructuring of the country, adding however that the country needs both political and economic restructuring.

He said “political restructuring without economic restructuring will lead the country no where. Political restructuring without economic Lrestructuring is not a panacea to development in Nigeria. Nigeria will be restructured whether the ruling party likes it or not.”

He faulted recent claim by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed that the All progressives Congress (APC) did not promise to restructure the country while soliciting for support, saying that “paragraph one of the APC manifesto shows clearly that the party promised to restructure the country, and on this we stand.”

Falana also urged Nigerians to discountenance recent claim by Major Hamzat Musthapha that he has a tape to show how Abiola was killed, describing him as a pathological liar.

“A Mustapha is nothing but a liar. He appeared before the Oputa panel and told the panel that all his tapes relating to the death of Abiola had been stolen by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Now, where did he get the tape he claimed to have?”

The rights activist who said that conscience is tormenting Mustapha said “Sergent Rogers told the Oputa panel that Mustapha gave him the gun that he used to kill Kudirat Abiola. So, why is the man telling lies now?

While explaining how the late Abiola died, Falana said “Abiola was killed by a poisoned tea given to him to drink by an American delegation,” adding that the ghost of the late politician will continue to hunt all his killers till they join him where he is.

Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon Wale Oshun had called on the Governors of the six states of the South West region to build an edifice and name him after Abiola.

“Since the federal government has refused to name a befitting edifice or institution after late MKO Abiola, it is expedient on the Governors of the six states of the South West region to collectively build an edifice and name it after Abiola. This will go a long way at honouring this great hero of our time,” he stressed.”