Today marks again another anniversary of the June 12 1993 Election which was popularly acknowledged to be won by Basorun MKO Abiola, but was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida led military junta. The annulment of June 12 election will forever remain a watershed in the history of our people.
It was that singular event that brought to the fore the undying commitment of the oppressive and evil Nigerian ruling elite led by the Nigeria oligarchy to keep our people in perpetual bondage without deference to exercise of their democratic and fundamental rights.
It was also this and subsequent reactions on the part of the people that land-marked the resolve of our people to fight the military with unequal determination, leading to the termination of military rule in 1999.
In the years of civil rule since 1999 however, there have been unrelenting efforts by the elite and military men in civilian uniform of wish away the gains of June 12, appropriate the political import and turn the event into a mere icon.
The recent declaration of June 12 as a public holiday, though a result of stringent public demand on the one hand, is also in a way an indication that our struggle is not in vain. But then June 12 is a popular struggle. The struggle is a popular struggle, fought and won on the streets, and cannot be allowed to be closeted in the boardroom or confined to gardens and parks.
It is opportunistic, evil and unacceptable to on the one hand be presiding against the worst form of insecurity in Nigeria, ethnic cleansing and genocide while paying lip services to the memory of Basorun MKO Abiola and the memories of those who died in the June 12 Struggle. June 12 Struggle at its height meant only two things to the people.
- End to military rule
Ii. The good life under a democratic dispensation with opportunities for self-actualization.
But today, Nigerians live in conditions defined as poverty capital of the world with cities ranking as the worst to live in after places like Damascus the capital of war torn Syria. Unemployment rate of 35 percent and life expectancy of less than 52 years are definitely not enviable statistics. We live today in a country where seeking education by going to school has become a sin as students and teachers are being kidnapped and put up for ransoms
We cannot but show a sense of appreciation to the Babajide Sanwoolu led Lagos state government for his effort at securing the state
One can attest to the genuine effort of the Lagos state government in bringing the reality the dividend of democracy to our people
We can pointedly say that the leadership of governance have shown good faith in their unquantifiable projections and contributions in the Educational sector
The provision of ordinances and platform for optimum performance of various security agencies in the state
The calibration of the community policing structures across the state in recent time is a testimony of their commitment to the security and well-being of the citizenry
The infrastructural developments that guarantees the ease of doing business in the state is worthy of emulations by other state s
We must rise above sectarianism and partisanship to give total support for the good of every stake holders
We must continue to uphold every tenet of our Democratic culture, values and mores to arrive at the Eldorado of a future envisaged by this present Sanwo-Olu Administration in Lagos state
*Comrade Razaq Olokoba, National Convener, Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG).
