A Democracy Day of Note!
By Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, JP
Presidential elections were held in Nigeria on 12 June 1993, the first since the 1983 military coup ended the country’s Second Republic.
It was the outcome of a fraudulent transitional process to civilian rule spearheaded by the military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
Sadly, the military dictator annulled the results.
I remember with patriotic nostalgic introspection how as a young man, I stood under the rains in Ilupeju Estate Lagos to cast my vote for the progressive MKO Abiola who was adjourned victor.
I remember too with sense of pride how along with some media compatriots from Nigeria, Emeka Izeze, Deji Abiola others from parts of Africa, converged at the Jomo Kenyatta International Centre in Nairobi to press our demand to actualize June 12.
It’s preposterous, utterly absurd and ridiculous to see beneficiaries of our struggle now behaving worse than the military some patriots fought against.
As the President and Commander in Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces said, Nigerians should hold their State Governors and LGA chairmen accountable along with the central Federal Government.
While some governors have come clean with the PBAT palliatives, some have kept mute and went on to repackage and rebrand same to criminally deceive the people.
This isn’t time to accept 10kg pack of rotten rice for your vote. Politics is serious enough not to participate. The outcomes will affect your households.
We should be relentless in demanding for functional accessible healthcare; public schools with good learning environment; job provision through economic support with a transparent micro and macro credit scheme devoid of political patronage; massive support for farmers through single digit loans to real multi crops farmers; sustainable public assets; durable infrastructure and most especially, elect leaders that will guarantee your welfare, instead of capitalists that are only concerned about their investments.
Get ready, strengthen your legs and hearts to join in the tasks ahead!
Should I say Happy Democracy Day?
