Democracy Day: CLO Calls On Tinubu To Immortalize Kudirat, Nwosu, Others
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
Human Rights Activist, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN has made patriotic and passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete June 12th healing process started by former President Buhari by giving National Honours and naming some National Monuments after Kudirat Abiola doyen, Humphrey Nwosu, Pa Alfred Rewane and Gani Fawehinmi.
Ezekwueme who is also Chairman Civil Liberties Organization Anambra State Branch made the remarks in commemoration of 32nd anniversary of June 12th with the themed “Nigerians yet to imbibe and exhibits lessons,spirit and ingredients of June 12th.
According to him “Kudirat Abiola Doyen
was the amazon of June 12th de-annulment struggles and wife of Chief MKO Abiola. Prof. Nwosu who conducted freest, fairest and most credible election in Nigeria and stood for justice, truth and upright.
“Pa Alfred Rewane who paid supreme sacrifice for the democracy we are enjoying today and Chief Gani Fawehinmi for his patriotism, doggedness and steadfastness in agitation for declaration of winner of June 12th 1993 presidential election.
“It will be recall that Buhari started the healing process in 2019 by giving highest National Honours, Grand Commander Federal Republic ( GCFR) and Grand Commander On Niger (GCON) to both Abiola and Kingibe his presidential running mate and declared June 12th as Democracy Day instead of previous May 29th.
“Pertinently, immortalizing them will not only strengthen our democracy, most importantly, it will encourage others to make patriotic sacrifices for the country hoping they will be certainly appreciated and reciprocated now or in the future.
“It was a watershade because Nigerians for the first time voted above religion, ethnicity, tribe and clans cleavages.
It is of prime importance to note that “without June 12th there won’t have been May 29th and democratic governance we are enjoying for the past 26 years uninterrupted, hence recognizing the sacrifices and patriotism of Kudirat, Nwosu, Rewane and Fawehinmi becomes expedient and ineluctable.
“It is of prime importance to note that a Nation which failed to honour it’s defenders, would be itself dishonoured.
President Tinubu as dogged apostle of June 12th struggle should kindly do the needful out of his usual magnanimity, bestows well deserved National Honours to the four distinguished Nigerians.
“It will be recall that Ezekwueme in June 1993 embarked on self imposed hunger strike to expressed his protest and displeasure over annulment of June 12th presidential election presumed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP).
“Similarly, CLO reiterates her incessant appeals to President Tinubu to ensure inclusion of “Eastern Railway Line” in Railway Modernization Contracts and giving more sensitive political appointments to southeast, as best “Democracy Day Gift” as well as giving them sense of belonging, Ezekwueme posited.
