Right Activists Urge Befitting Immortalisation Of Abiola

SOME Human Rights activists yesterday converged on Osogbo, Osun State capital, and called on the country’s political leaders to find a befitting national monument with which to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The activists noted that it was time the nation took the decision in recognition of the great role played by the late Abiola in the evolution of the country’s democracy, adding that without him, the democracy Nigerians enjoy today might not have come to reality. Besides, they also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the needed leadership that would rekindle the hope of Nigerians through policies aimed at repositioning the society in all facets.

The rights crusaders spoke at a rally to mark the June 12 anniversary. In his speech at the event, the Executive Chairman, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRS), Alimi Adeniyi Sulaiman urged beneficiaries of the June 12 struggle not to forget the role Abiola played to usher in democracy in the country.

Sulaiman said: “Now, some apostles and vanguards of June 12 that we used to know are operating from the comfort of political power.

They seem to have little time to remember what the annulment of June 12 elections represents in Nigerian democracy. “It is our view that if care is not taken, some advocates of June 12 struggle will soon forget the memory of June 12,1993 presidential election that was won by   the late business mogul Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola.

The election was regarded as the most freest and fairest in the annals of Nigeria political history.” On the crisis over the new leadership of the National Assembly, Sulaiman called for caution on the part of the leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noting that the party should restrain itself from undue interference in order not to hamper the course of democracy and the independence of the legislative arm of government.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the party to respect the independence of the two hallowed Chambers to take popular decisions without necessarily bringing party politics into their affairs.