All Progressives Congress (APC)’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu has said that the annulled June 12, 1993 election, which the late Moshood Abiloa won, provided a reassuring lesson that Nigeria’s unity “is not an impractical dream”.
In a statement marking this year’s Democracy Day, the former Lagos State governor said that MKO won a truly national mandate.
“The spirit of June 12 shall expand to become the spirit of Nigeria and our national greatness and destiny,” he noted.
He promised to dedicate his upcoming campaign to the spirit of June 12 and what it symbolised for the country.
He said, “That election, though almost thirty years ago, provides vital and reassuring lessons to Nigeria today. First, it shows that we are capable of democratic excellence and conducting elections as good as anywhere else on earth. Second, Chief MKO Abiola won a truly national mandate,” the statement reads.
“His victory and mandate, though unfairly and unlawfully stolen, shows Nigeria’s unity is not an impractical dream.
“Although we are diverse in terms of ethnicity and religion, we all seek good governance, a better life and the positive things that result from sustained good governance.
“For me personally, Democracy Day holds a special meaning. I was a close supporter of MKO Abiola and had entered politics believing that we could change the face of this nation for permanent good. When the military dictatorship tried to bury that dream, I was there at the birth of the NADECO movement.
“The democratic lessons I learned then have guided the path of public service which I have tried to follow since those days. On this Democracy Day, I dedicate myself and my upcoming campaign to the spirit of June 12 and what it best symbolises for today’s Nigeria.
“Just like democracy finally won against dictatorship, I know that prosperity shall overcome poverty, peace shall outlast violence, compassion will conquer hatred and good will defeat evil. Justice, security, and economic development will visit and reside in every hamlet, household, village, and city in our nation.”
