……..says late MKO Abiola was a Pan-African patriot driven by a quest for justice and the eradication of inequality
The Alaafin of Oyo, and Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefis, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba [Dr.] Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, has eulogized President Muhammadu Buhari, for his visionary zeal on the restoration of June 12 as the country’s Democracy Day, and bestowed of highest national honour on a hero of our democracy, late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, whose victory, unfortunately annulled by the military, marked a watershed in the nation’s quest for true democracy.
Oba Adeyemi in a congratulatory message to the President, issued by His Chief Press Officer, Bode Durojaiye, noted that the victory, delivered by Nigerians across geopolitical and ethno-religious lines, undoubtedly remains the most unequivocal demonstration of popular will in our democratic history.
He said, ‘’as we recall that landmark event in our political life, we also remember those who equally paid the ultimate price for the sanctity of our democratic aspirations. I salute the courage and resilience of those who suffered intimidation and persecution in defense of popular will’’.
‘’ This reminds us to remain vigilant and to be more assertive in our demand for good governance. The truth is June 12 has become a guide to where we are coming from, how we got to where we are today, where we are going and what we need to get there’’.
Extolling the virtue of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election, and the immediate past Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Alaafin described him as ‘’ a popular businessman, publisher and politician who epitomized perseverance in the face of daunting challenges.
‘’Indeed, his uncommon ability to overcome adversity and achieve tremendous fortune must have stirred in M.K.O Abiola a philanthropic spirit that remains unrivalled. Late MKO Abiola was a detribalized Nigerian who built bridges across the country and a Pan-African patriot driven by a quest for justice and the eradication of inequality. Abiola’s connections, philanthropy and admiration were resoundingly pan-Nigerian as was his resounding victory’’.
The paramount Ruler stressed that ‘’the huge socio-political and economic deficit imposed by the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, 26 years after, has not been fully recovered; hence Nigerians have continued to count their losses on June 12’’.
Said he, ‘’it will therefore be uncharitable to forget the role of this date in Nigeria’s socio- political development as a nation, and it will be befitting for the Federal Government to explore how to make this date a memorable one for Nigerians. This becomes imperative, to ensure posterity does not forget the democratic labours of our heroes past’’.
While congratulating the newly elected President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Barrister Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, Iku Baba Yeye described the duo as ‘’ a ’forthright, committed, proactive, and conscientious politicians par excellence whose resilience for the wellbeing of the less priviledged and pragmatic governance are resounding”.
The Paramount Ruler who cautioned politicians against betrayal of trust, also advised them to avoid trouble, controversies, scandals, byfulfilling their promises to the electorates, and dedicatedly serve
the people that voted them into various political offices.
This, he pointed out, is because ‘’as politicians are very important facilitators of national development, they are also the pivot around which socio-economic and political activities often revolve.
