Mr Mashood Erubami, the President, Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS), has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari on the declaration of June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day, calling for more initiatives to strengthen democracy.
Erubami in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan said more action needed to be taken to entrench the principles of June 12.
NAN recalls that the June 12, 1993 presidential election presumed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, was annulled by then military president, Ibrahim Babangida.
Erubami described Buhari’s courage as unsurpassed among successive leaders in the country since the annulment of the June 12 election.
“Buhari’s acknowledgement of the importance resident in the day was quite unexpected with late Chief MKO Abiola being a suspected financier of the military coup that ousted him from power in 1985.
“This action portrays him as a man of great character and truly remarkable president of the moment who should be commended glowingly for achieving where his predecessors demonstrated very weak leadership,’’ he said.
Erubami, who is also the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Ethics in Development, said there was need for the president to do more to strengthen the nation’s democracy and meet the yearnings of Nigerians who risked voting for him.
He said that what endeared Buhari to most Nigerians during his era as head of state was discipline, courage and anti-corruption stance which seemed to have been undermined by the fear of being tagged a despot.
“This is the time that every discernible Nigerian expects him to stand mightily on the toes of corrupt politicians and civil servants and thereafter crush their legs for sanity to reign in Nigeria,”he said.
Erubami, a former President, Campaign for Democracy, said the Democracy Day celebration should not be limited to addresses, exhibitions and merriment, but should encourage `people’s rally’ across states to avail Nigerians opportunity to evaluate government’s programmes.
“Our security agencies assigned with electoral duties must be diligent in ensuring a violence-free atmosphere for elections.
” They should ensure adequate protection of electoral materials and human rights of voters during and after the elections.
“Election stakeholders namely, the political parties, party candidates, INEC, security agencies and the electorate must adhere to guidelines, rules and regulations set out for free, fair, free and credible elections,’’ he said.
Erubami said that there was still injustice resident in the annulled June 12, 1993 election, among which was the non-declaration of the real winner of the election.
“Truly, June 12 has been declared as Democracy Day and the highest national honour posthumously bestowed on Abiola, complete justice can only be done when the victor is declared as the real winner by Nwosu.
“Deserving national honours should be bestowed on other democrats and political activists who waged strident struggle to get June 12 annulment reversed and recognised.
“Among them are late Kudirat Abiola, late Alfred Rewane, late Ken Saro-Wiwa, late Alex Ibru, late Beko Ransome Kuti, late Alao Aka-Bashorun, late Gani Fawehinmi, late Chima Ubani, Anthony Enahoro, Ola Oni and Baba Omojola to mention a few,’’ he said.
He recommended that a notable stadium and airport be named after Abiola to complete the honours package.
