The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to democracy, credible elections, constitutional government, and the welfare of the people as the country marks the 33rd anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In his Democracy Day message to Nigerians, Adebayo described June 12 as a sacred reminder of the power of the people’s will and the heavy price paid by patriots in the struggle for democratic rule.
He recalled that on June 12, 1993, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola contested the presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party with the message of “Farewell to Poverty,” and won the confidence of millions of Nigerians across the country.
Adebayo said the election represented a glorious opportunity for Nigeria to lead Africa and the wider world in democratic renewal at a time when apartheid still existed in South Africa and many African nations were still under military rule.
According to him, the annulment of the election by the military government was a betrayal of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians, stressing that no power can truly annul the will of the people.
“June 12 reminds us that the people are the true owners of power. What happened in 1993 was not just the annulment of an election; it was a betrayal of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians,” Adebayo said.
The SDP presidential candidate paid tribute to Chief MKO Abiola, his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and the thousands of Nigerians who lost their lives, freedom, and comfort in defence of democracy.
He also commended the late President Muhammadu Buhari for officially recognising June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
He, however, expressed concern that 33 years after the June 12 election, Nigeria is still struggling with many of the same democratic challenges that existed before the historic poll.
He criticised what he described as undemocratic practices in the country, including pressure on political parties, discouragement of civil society, interference by law enforcement agencies in politics, weak internal democracy within political parties, vote buying, violence, and lack of credibility in elections.
He said Nigeria cannot honour June 12 by merely observing a public holiday, but by building a political system where votes count, institutions are independent, citizens are protected, and leaders are chosen through free, fair, and credible elections.
He said, “As we approach another general election, every Nigerian has a role to play in enthroning true democracy. June 12 must not be in vain. The labour of our heroes past must not be allowed to go to waste.”
He called for the emergence of a government that will uphold Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, with the welfare, security, and wellbeing of Nigerians placed at the centre of governance.
The lawyer and business mogul said Nigeria needs a government formed through the genuine votes of the people, led by patriots who will faithfully implement the Constitution and use the resources of the country for the benefit of Nigerians.
He added that Nigeria has a historic responsibility to project hope, dignity, and leadership to Africa and the global Black community.
He SDP candidate acknowledged that poverty, insecurity, and other national challenges have weakened public confidence in democracy, but insisted that there is no better alternative to democratic rule.
“I was born and raised under military rule, and I will never wish for that dark era to return. We must confront the problems facing our democracy and ensure that Nigeria reaches the democratic destination our heroes fought for,” he said.
He congratulated Nigerians for witnessing another Democracy Day and prayed for God’s blessing upon the country and its people.
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