June 12: Fayose declares Monday public holiday

• Atiku speaks on June 12, Abiola, restructuring

Ekiti State Government has joined Ogun, Ondo and Oyo states to declare Monday a public holiday in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, Fayose, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said he took the decision to join his other colleagues in the South West in the spirit of the unity of the region.
He said, “Yoruba nation’s interest is beyond personal interest of anyone. For us to forge ahead as a people, we must speak with one voice.
“In the light of this, I declare Monday a public holiday to further strengthen our collective belief, hope and aspirations. This, I have done in the spirit of Yoruba nation and South West integration.”
The late Bashorun Moshood Abiola won the election. However, his victory was annulled by the then military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.).
Abiola was later incarcerated by the military junta of the late General Sanni Abacha.
The day is celebrated in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola, who died in a mysterious circumstance while in incarceration a few days after the death of Abacha.
In a related development, former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday spoke to Nigerians on the occasion of the anniversary of the June 12 1993 Presidential election, believed to have been won by the late businessman and philanthropist, MKO Abiola.
Atiku said June 12 and the events that brought it could not be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that Election Day in 1993.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, he noted that the events of June 12, 1993 were watersheds in the history of the nation and that all Nigerians should work hard to ensure that the nation never again repeat that painful experience.
Atiku recalled that June 12 traumatized Nigerians and made some people to question the unity and oneness of the country and whether true democracy can take root in the country.
He commended Nigerians “for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by June 12 and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years”.
“That was a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today; democracy is flourishing in the country.”
Atiku added that restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.
According to him, restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the Federation based on the principle of comparative advantage.
The former Vice President described the late MKO Abiola, the leading personality of the June 12 struggle, as a national “hero and patriot” deserving of accolades and honour by Nigerians.
Atiku called on the Federal Government to pay the necessary tribute to the late Abiola by naming a befitting national institution after him.