FG DECLARES JUNE 12 PUBLIC HOLIDAY

The Nigerian government has declared Wednesday June 12, 2019 as a Public Holiday. June 12 has been reserved by the Buhari administration to commemorate Nigeria’s National Democracy Day . . .

The federal government on Monday declared Wednesday, June 12, as a public holiday, to commemorate the nation’s National Democracy Day. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director, Press & Public Relations of the ministry, in Abuja. The federal government’s decision followed the enactment into law of June 12 as Democracy Day annually in Nigeria.

MKO

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, GCFR (24 August 1937–7 July 1998) was a Nigerian business mogul, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan. He was the Aare Ona Kankafo of the Yoruba land. MKO Abiola as he was called via his names: Moshood Kashimawo Olawale, ran for the Nigerian Presidency in 1993, for which the election results were annulled by the preceding military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) because of allegations that they were corrupt and unfair. Abiola was awarded the GCFR posthumously on 6th June 2018 by Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) and Nigeria’s democracy day was changed to June 12.

Abiola was the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) During the 12 June 1993 presidential elections and his vice presidential running mate was his primary opponent Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe. He defeated his rival, Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent’s home state of Kano. Abiola won at the national capital, Abuja, the military polling stations, and over two-thirds of Nigerian states.

Abiola’s support in the June 1993 presidential election cut across all the six geo-political zones and religious divisions, among a few politicians to accomplish such a spread during his time.

According to Wikipedia, Abiola died in suspicious circumstances shortly after the death of Nigeria’s military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, on the day that he was due to be released, 7th July 1998. While the official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, Major al-Mustapha alleged that Moshood Abiola was in fact beaten to death. Al-Mustapha, who was detained by the Nigerian government, but later released, claims to have video and audiotapes showing how Abiola was beaten to death. The final autopsy report, which was produced by a group of international coroners has never been publicly released. Regardless of the exact circumstances of his death, it is clear that Chief Abiola received insufficient medical attention for his existing health conditions.

The June 12 date is not only dedicated to Nigeria’s Democracy Day but also to the legendary memory of MKO, the man, the quintessential maverick politician, whose election to the Nigerian Presidency in 1993 cut across all the six geopolitical zones of the richest nation in black Africa and the most populous black nation on earth.

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