By Nefishetu Yakubu
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) says the June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a powerful symbol of Nigerians’ commitment to democracy, good governance and national unity.
In a Democracy Day statement in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Rufus Aiyenigba, said the June 12, 1993 presidential election reflected Nigerians’ collective aspiration for justice, accountability and national unity.
Aiyenigba said Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and regional differences, voted overwhelmingly for the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola as a symbol of hope and national renewal.
“The Nigerian people spoke loudly with their votes against poverty, injustice, poor governance, nepotism and oppressive rule,” he said.
According to him, the people of Kano voted for Abiola over their kinsman, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, demonstrating the pan-Nigerian appeal of both Abiola and the SDP.
He said the outcome of the election underscored the party’s broad national acceptance and enduring relevance more than three decades later.
“The national appeal the party enjoyed then remains intact today, three decades after that historic election,” he said.
Aiyenigba described the annulment of the election as a major setback that denied Nigerians the benefits of democratic governance and national integration.
He recalled that the decision triggered widespread protests, political instability and the detention of Abiola, who later died in custody.
“The ill-advised annulment provoked unprecedented national resistance and denied Nigerians the gains of a freely expressed democratic mandate,” he said.
The SDP spokesman commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising June 12 as Democracy Day and lauded the National Assembly for institutionalising the date.
“It is commendable that Buhari stood on the side of history by declaring June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day,” he said.
Aiyenigba, however, lamented that many of the aspirations associated with the June 12 mandate remained unrealised due to policy failures by successive administrations.
He said Nigerians continued to grapple with poverty, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, poor governance and declining confidence in public institutions.
According to him, an SDP-led government under Abiola would have laid a solid foundation for national prosperity, social justice and democratic accountability.
He expressed regret that Nigeria lost the opportunity to benefit from Abiola’s leadership but maintained that the party’s vision for national development remained alive.
Aiyenigba said the party’s leadership, under its National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, and its 2027 presidential candidate, Mr Adewole Adebayo, was committed to repositioning the country for sustainable development. (NAN)
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