The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye has urged the people of the state and other Nigerians to keep faith in democracy to build a stronger and a more united nation.
Aribasoye in a message on the occasion of 2023 Democracy Day said June 12 had become Nigeria’s most important milestone of democracy and a platform that recognizes the people’s right to speak with their votes on the choice of their leaders.
The Speaker noted that it is symbolic that the 30th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by champion of popular democracy and business mogul, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, regarded as the freest and fairest election in the annals of Nigeria, is being marked when another hero of democracy, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently assumed office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to continue to defend their hard-earned democracy, which he noted was watered with the blood of Chief Abiola, his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and many of their compatriots who fought against the annulment of the election by the military.
The Speaker also used the opportunity to pay tributes to other heroes of June 12, both living and the dead, for their sacrifices to ensure that democracy was restored and fully entrenched in Nigeria.
He said: “We must not forget the sacrifices of Nigerian patriots like late Chief Anthony Enahoro, late Chief Abraham Adesanya, late Chief Alfred Rewane, late Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, late Baba Omojola, Gen Alani Akinrinade(retd), late Chief Olabiyi Durojaye, late Dr Amos Akingba, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Colonel Abubakar Umar (retd), Chief Frank Kokori, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Mr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Oba Olu Falae, late Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr Kayode Fayemi (of the Radio Kudirat fame) and many others too numerous to mention.
“Some of them lost their lives in the course of the struggle, a good number of them were detained without trial, some were hounded into exile and many others suffered untold hardship and denial of their fundamental human rights in the vanguard of fighting for this democracy we are all enjoying today.
“They gave their all, including the payment of the supreme price, shed their blood and sweat and suffered many deprivations for the attainment of the democracy we are enjoying today. Without these sacrifices our democracy wouldn’t have been possible.
“We need to reciprocate by contributing to the growth of democracy, by participating in governance, exercising our franchise, joining political parties of our choice, imbibing democratic principles and working to strengthen our institutions to deepen our democracy.”
He also urged the people of Ekiti State irrespective of the political leanings to support Governor Biodun Oyebanji whom he said had taken good governance to a higher pedestal with incontrovertible evidences on ground to show that the mandate given to him in the 2022 governorship election was not a mistake.