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“June 12 Too Significant To Be Forgotten- Sanwo-Olu

Published

5 years ago

June 12, 2019

Editor

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu has advised that young Nigerians should be educated on the significance of the June 12 anniversary.

The Governor stressed that it is through the formal education on the importance of the day that the people will appreciate and immortalize Chief MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of what has been adjudged as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria.

Son of late of M.K.O Abiola, Mr. Deji Abiola; former Lagos State commissioner for information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake; representative of Lagos Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Mr. Lekan Abiola during the 20 Years remembrance of M.K.O and commemoration of the June 12 Democracy Day ceremony, at the Abiola residence, Ikeja, Lagos

Speaking at the maiden National Democracy Day Celebration in remembrance of late MKO Abiola, the hero of the annulled June 12, 1993 general elections held at De Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said “On June 12, 1993, Nigeria had an election adjudged by the entire world to be the freest and fairest and remains so till this moment”.

Representative of Lagos Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (2nd left); Convener, June 12, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi (left); former Lagos State commissioner for information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake (2nd right) and Mrs. Lola Abiola-Edewor (right) during the 20 Years remembrance of M.K.O and commemoration of the June 12 Democracy Day ceremony, at the Abiola residence

He said the importance of June 12 should not be lost on Nigerians, adding that parents should drum up its importance to the young ones and its relevance to the democracy Nigerians now enjoy noting that the day was too significant in our history to be forgotten .

Children and Grandchildren of late Chief MKO Abiola at the ceremony during laying of wreath

“We are here today to continue what Lagos State government started in 1999. We must thank President Muhammadu Buhari because June 12 is part of our history. We must let our children know about June 12. If over two hundred million Nigerians do the right thing and maintain their lanes, this country will be great,” he said.

Guest Lecturer, Prof. Kola Ogundowole; Chairman of the Occasion, retired Gen. Alani Akinrinade; representative of Lagos Governor and Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; retired Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and his wife, Gladys during the maiden June 12 National Democracy Day celebration, at the De Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja

“Democracy as the June 12, 1993 elections and its annulment have shown, is a process and not an event in itself. It is a process which acknowledges that the burning desire and the power of the people, in choosing their leaders, is clearly deep-rooted and non-negotiable”, Sanwo-Olu said.

Earlier in the day at the residence of late MKO Abiola, the governor had advised Nigerians to ensure that this watershed will continue to be celebrated.

According to himy “The relentless pursuit of progressive governance and the peoples’ belief in it are the reasons why I now stand before you on this historic day as your governor”, Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor commended patriotic and excellent Nigerians that sacrificed their time, resources and their very lives to make the essence of June 12 acknowledged.

“Our great leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu along with many others were at the vanguard for the actualisation of the democracy and democratic state which the June 12 mandate birthed in the country”, he said.

Earlier, in his lecture, “Hope 93, Democratic prosperity and political stability,” the guest speaker, Professor Pat Utomi said for Abiola’s memory to be maintained, the political class must have a renewed sense of service and make the country work again.

“Abiola wanted to fight for economic Justice. In the last two years, N1.8trillion has left Nigeria Stock Exchange because people no longer want to do business in Nigeria. Why do we allow our country to be seen as money losing machine?”

“Nigerian elites should see to how the country can work again to prevent anarchy that is coming. Do we need a new NADECO to liberate us? Politics is about service and the generality of the good of the people. We must build a country of people working together for the good of all if we are going to do pride to Abiola’s memory,” Utomi said.

In his contribution, the Vice President, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Yisa Aremu said the declaration of June 12 as democracy day is ‘ a triumph of democracy over military dictatorship’ urging the political class to channel their energy against poverty.

“For today, it is a total commitment. What seems impossible has become a reality. This is a triumph of democracy over dictatorship. It is to renew our commitment to democratic process.

In his reaction, Abdul Amin Abiola, who spoke on behalf of the family expressed appreciation to all Nigerians, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, for their support and steadfastness in making the day a reality.

Headline

Breaking: Wike Plans to Attend Thursday’s PDP NEC Meeting

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NECeeting on Thursday is not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

Political stakeholders have concluded that the outcome of Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan.

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Bribery, Corruption: APC Suspends National Chairman, Ganduje

Published

5 days ago

April 15, 2024

Eric

The All Progressives Congress ward in Ganduje, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area, has suspended the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The party ward legal adviser, Halliru Gwanzo, announced the suspension while addressing newsmen in Kano State on Monday.

Gwanzo cited allegations of bribery against Ganduje levelled by the Kano State Government as the reason for the suspension.

“We decided to suspend Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje from the party due to the seriousness of the allegations against him,” Gwanzo said.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Chief Press Secretary to the APC National Chairman, Mr Edwin Olufo, failed as his mobile phone was unreachable.

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Akpabio Commits to Collaboration with Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno

Published

1 week ago

April 12, 2024

Admin

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has stated his commitment to working closely with Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Governor Umo Eno to ensure the delivery of democratic benefits to the people of Akwa Ibom State.

Akpabio stated this in his country home, Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, while briefing his constituents on the journey so far as their representative in the red chamber.

He assured the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District of his commitment to their welfare in appreciation of their total support for him, President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in last year’s election.

The Highpoint of the constituency briefing was the distribution of over 10,000 bags of rice and other essentials for his constituents from the wards, to the local governments.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I am here once again, to thank you for standing by me, our President and the party, before, during and even after last year’s elections. I have come to say thank you and also bring Renewed Hope to you all.

“As the President is doing his own, the Senate President is also doing his bit and being complemented by the state governor, Akwa Ibom would be the better for it. We have finished elections and politics, we are now into governance. The governor of the state must touch you, because he is the governor of all the people in the state irrespective of political affiliation.

” As I am touching you now from the political angle, I will also touch the state without any political party affiliation. Most of the projects we are putting in place would be used by people resident in the state. Relax, things are getting better.”

The former Governor of the state, assured his constituents that his current position as the Senate President would be used for the development of the state in collaboration with the President and the Akwa Ibom State Governor.

Hear him: This Senate President is not the one that would be fighting the state government. I will collaborate with , I will collaborate with , to make the state better for us all. We cannot be out of government for a long time. You have to go to a government that carries you along”

Akpabio promised to work for his constituents and Nigeria with all his strength, noting that, “as the President of the Senate, I am for the Southern region and the entire country. I may not come here regularly to tell you what I have been doing for you, but you will be feeling the impact on way or the other. Our unemployed youths would be gainfully employed. I will construct a mini stadium in all the local governments in the district, for our youths to develop their sporting potentials. ”