2023 Democracy Day’s Significance – Afenifere

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

A pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has said that the 2023 Democracy Day is a special one because one of the leading June 12 struggles, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is now the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is according to a statement signed by Comrade Jare Ajayi, the National Publicity Secretary, as the country marks the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993, presidential election which was considered the freest and credible election in the history of Nigeria since 1960.

Recall, on the 12, of 1993, the presidential election was won by Bashorun Moshood Olawale Abiola but was annulled by the military Government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

The annulment caused uproar in and outside the country, which resulted in many lives and properties lost during the struggle to get the election de-annulled.

The struggle led to the demise of MKO Abiola, while others involved in the struggle went into exile including the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu, who was a member of a group, the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, ran out of the country due to the heat he was facing in Nigeria.

It could be recalled that in year 1986, Noble Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka in his speech stated that ‘the past must address the present. This can be linked to the present situation as the then member of the election struggles now a president.

President Tinubu’s manifesto, ‘Renewed Hope’ is an offshoot of Late MKO Abiola’s ‘Hope 93’ manifesto.

However, Ajayi commends Ex-president Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing Late MKO Abiola as the winner of the 1993 presidential election and honouring him with the highest award, GCFR.