The President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Debo Adeniran, has called on the Federal Government to formally designate June 12 as MKO Abiola day, insisting the date should honour the sacrifices of pro-democracy heroes rather than be framed as a celebration of military benevolence.

Hem said that the day should be renamed after Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, who won the election but was denied his mandate and later died in detention.

Speaking during the 2026 Democracy Day commemoration, Adeniran said June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history, symbolising the collective will of the people expressed in the annulled 1993 presidential election.

According to him, long before its official recognition as Democracy Day, June 12 had already become a “sacred date” representing resistance, sacrifice and the struggle for justice, accountability and electoral integrity.

He stressed that the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest was a grave violation of democratic principles and an assault on the sovereignty of Nigerians.

“June 12 became historic because of the courage and determination of Nigerians, not because of the benevolence of the military, ” he said, warning against attempts to rewrite history.

He added that the true heroes of the struggle were ordinary citizens, activists, journalists and labour leaders who endured persecution, detention and, in some cases, death in the fight to restore democratic rule.

The CDHR president also urged Nigerians to critically examine the roles played by key actors during that period, noting that some influential figures failed to defend the people’s mandate with the required courage.

He therefore used the occasion to assess the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlighting both achievements and challenges over the past three years.

He acknowledged progress in areas such as student access to education loans, technical and vocational training, infrastructure development, healthcare reforms and efforts to boost investor confidence and foreign reserves.

However, he raised concerns over what he described as shrinking civic space and alleged restrictions on peaceful protests. He referenced the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, during which rights groups, including Amnesty International, reported cases of arrests, excessive use of force and violations of fundamental rights.

Adeniran also pointed to the rising cost of living following fuel subsidy removal and currency reforms, noting that inflation has eroded purchasing power and worsened poverty levels across the country.

He warned that food insecurity, unemployment, brain drain and persistent insecurity including terrorism, kidnapping and communal violence remain serious challenges confronting the nation.

The CDHR further expressed concern over what it described as weak compliance with the rule of law, citing instances of alleged disregard for court orders and prolonged detention of suspects.

According to Adeniran, the widening gap between government policies and the realities faced by citizens poses a major threat to democratic stability.

He called on the government to strengthen accountability, respect human rights, ensure the rule of law and implement people-centred economic policies that improve citizens’ welfare.

“Democracy is not merely about elections; it is about improving the lives of the people while respecting their rights and freedoms,” he said.

He therefore calleed on the government to preserve the true history of June 12 and honour all those who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic journey, insisting that their sacrifices must not be in vain.