June 12: S-West states declare today work free

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, Osogbo, OLA AJAYI, Ibadan, DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO, Lagos

FOUR South-West states – Lagos, Oyo, Ogun and Osun – have declared today a work-free day, in commemoration of 21st anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, won by late Chief M.K.O Abiola.

In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola, in a circular by the state Head of Service, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams, yesterday, said; “In commemoration of June 12, 1993 as significant in the actualization of Democracy in Nigeria, it is hereby notified for general information that Governor Babatunde Fashola has approved Thursday, 12th June, 2014 as a work-free day.’

She enjoined all workers in the state to attend events organised by various government agencies and groups to commemorate the day, saying “work will however resume on Friday, 13th June, 2014.”

For Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, the ideals which late Chief Moshood Abiola, stood for was yet to be realised.

Describing June 12 1993 election as a watershed in the annals of the country, he said that the late politician was a symbol of democracy and should be commended for his strong conviction.

Ajimobi said, “It was this conviction that the Nigerian masses should be freed from their oppressors and that the destiny of the country should not be held to ransom by a cabal, which propelled him to stand by his mandate and to defend it to the last.

“The democracy that we all are enjoying today was made possible by the likes of Chief Abiola, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Senator Bola Tinubu, Gen. Alani Akinrinade and others too numerous to mention.

“This is why we must not allow any circumstance to wipe out the memory of June 12, the day that Nigerians put their ethnic and religious affiliations aside and decided to take their destinies in their own hands by voting for a man of the masses.”

Similarly, Ogun State Government through a statement by Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said “the annual holiday is in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election and also in commemoration of Democracy Day. Government enjoins residents to spend the holiday in sober reflection and continue to pray for the State and Nigeria as a whole.”

On its part, Osun State Government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Sunday Akere, in Osogbo yesterday, said Osun acknowledged the influence of the June 12, 1993 election to the enthronement of democracy in the country and set aside the day for residents of the state to celebrate the victory of truth over falsehood.

The statement noted that over 14 million Nigerians spoke with one voice in the poll which was later annulled by the military administration in the country; saying attempt to bury the importance of the day by anyone would fail.

It urged residents of the state to use the opportunity of the holiday to reflect on the state of the nation and work hard to ensure the sustenance and strengthen the present democratic structure in the country.

Source: Vanguard