June 12: “Abiola, Others Surrendered Their Future,” Tinubu Salutes Heroes Of Democracy

The key role played by some prominent Nigerians to ensure the country returned to democratic rule, has been acknowledge by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu paid tributes to the Nigerians who fought for democratic government to be enshrined in the country during his national Democracy Day broadcast on Wednesday.

The president said some of these heroes gave their lives for the country, stressing that their sacrifice must not be forgotten.

Prominent among these democracy heroes, Tinubu said, was Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and others who paid the supreme price to ensure that Nigerians experience democratic government.

Chief Abiola had won the election which was later annulled by the then military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The business mogul later died in detention while trying to actualise his mandate.

According to Tinubu, “We lost great heroes and heroines along the way. In this struggle, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, the most significant symbol of our democratic struggle, his wife, Kudirat, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Pa Alfred Rewane amongst other sacrificed their very lives.

“They bravely surrendered their futures, so that our nation might have a better one.

“Let us honour the memories of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, and others who have transited to the higher realm.

“The sacrifices of General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Professor Wole Soyinka, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, among many others, should never be forgotten. For at least six years, they bore the pains and difficulties of life in exile.

“While the exiled pro-democracy activists kept the fire burning, their comrades at home sustained the pressure on the military leadership. Among the latter are Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Chief Olu Falae, and other National Democratic Coalition leaders such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.

“The sacrifices they made, and the precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can neither be repaid nor forgotten.

‘We could not have won the battle against dictatorship without the irrepressible Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists. We celebrate them today, along with their media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines. The undemocratic government of the day proscribed these media establishments and jailed their journalists for standing for free speech and civil liberties and the sanctity of the June 12 elections.

“Despite the lethal might of the authoritarian government, what appeared to be high and unyielding walls of dictatorship came tumbling down. The dismal fortress exists no longer.

“The power of an idea, the power of the people proved more potent than all the guns, the munitions, and the threats of the strongmen,” Tinubu said.