June 12: APC desecrating Abiola’s legacy – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has berate the All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations since 2015 for desecrating the democratic principles, legacies and values which the late Chief MKO Abiola laboured and died for.

The Party has also charged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day to speak against the anti-democratic tendencies of the insensitive APC which is asphyxiating, inflicting hardship, trampling on the Will and rights of the citizens and seeking to foist a totalitarian system on our nation.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, PDP National Publicity Secretary adding that, “It is distressing that our nation is observing the Democracy Day under a system that relishes in brazen violation of the Constitution, election rigging, stifling and manipulation of opposition, muzzling of dissenting voices; undermining the judicial system and other democracy institutions in desperation to turn Nigeria into a one-Party State.

“More disquieting is that all the progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in entrenching democratic practice in Nigeria have been reversed by the APC administrations.

“Nigerians can recall with nostalgia the glorious days of the PDP at the return of Democracy in 1999 to 2015, which period witnessed the expansion of democracy practice and dividend; notably the conduct of free and fair elections; adherence to the Rule of Law and Principle of Separation of Powers, economic transformation resulting in Nigeria becoming a preferred foreign investment destination in the world.

“Also, the PDP Government through its privatization and commercialization policy liberalized the economy and the consequential improvement in the fortune of Nigeria citizens.
According to the statement, “Democracy is all about the supremacy of the Will of the people, the Rule of Law and the pursuit of the security and wellbeing of citizens. These ideals have been completely violated by the APC administrations which leaders have no respect for public opinion but delight in burdening the people through multiple taxes and looting of treasury to finance their luxury appetite while subjecting other Nigerians to a life of fear, uncertainty, despondency and abject poverty.

“It is saddening that instead of celebrating freedom and good governance; the very of essence of democracy which Chief MKO Abiola stood for; Nigerians are in anguish over the exploitive, ill-implemented anti-people policies and programmes of the APC which has weaponized poverty in the country.

“The increase in fuel price and hike in electricity tariff with no corresponding tangible policy or programme directed towards the welfare of the people further show the anti-people stance of the APC administrations. Today, under the APC, prices of food, medicines and other essential commodities increase uncontrollably and soaring beyond reach.
“Is it not provocative that while APC leaders are relishing in opulence, other Nigerians cannot afford their daily meals and other basic necessities of life?

“The recent opening of the N21 billion luxury mansion for Vice President Ibrahim Shettima by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a country of collapsing infrastructure; with over 40% unemployment rate; where millions of citizens are literally starving; and where our schools and hospitals lack the basic operation equipment and tools is only a glimpse into the insensitivity, arrogance, impunity and reckless misdirection of resources that pervade the APC administrations.

“Our Party urges President Tinubu to use the occasion of the Democracy Day to have a deep reflection on the state of the nation under his watch, especially given the growing public agitation over hunger and high cost of living in the country.

“The PDP again reminds President Tinubu that there is destitution in the land and that the reaction of a hungry people is better imagined. Mr. President should, in keeping with democratic tenets, listen to Nigerians and review policies that are suffocating life in the country.
“Nevertheless, the PDP salutes Nigerians for their belief in Democracy and urges them not be discouraged by the failures of the APC administrations since 2015”.

.As activist demands immortalization of Kudirat, Pa Rewane, Nwosu, Ezeife

PHIL OKOSE, Onitsha

A human rights activist and social  crusader, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, on Tuesday, in Onitsha, Anambra State, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as one of the dogged apostles of June 12 struggles, to immortalize the leading advocate of June 12 de-annulment  struggles and widow of acclaimed winner of June 12th 1993 presidential election, late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, as well as Pa Alfred Rewane, Dr.Pius Ezeife and Professor Humphrey Nwosu who conducted the most transparent, credible, freest, fairest and general acceptable election by both national and international community.

Recall that Late Chief MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party was massively voted by majority of Nigerian electorate despite the Muslim-Muslim ticket before the election was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida administration.

He said, “It is pertinent to note that Chief MKO Abiola Kudirat, Rewane and others paid the supreme sacrifices for the democracy we are enjoying today. Whereas late former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife insisted his firm stand for actualization of Abiola’s mandate.He preferred to relinquish his position as governor than to abandon June 12 struggle. Professor Nwosu was patriotic, selfless, just and upright by conducting freest and fairest election.
“Worthy of note is for Nigeria and Nigerians to imbibe and live lesson and principles of June 12 through patriotism, selflessness, integrity, socio-economic justice and love for common good and interest of the people. Pertinently political class should ensure implementation of Abiola’s campaign slogan,  “Hope 93 Farewell to Poverty” as greatest and best tribute to his memory .
“Let all tiers of government bring hope to Nigerians through provisions of much needed but elusive democratic dividends and wipe out poverty by creating employments, skill acquisitions, accessible and affordable education and tackle insecurity.
“Our electoral umpire should emulate transparent elections conducted by Professor Humphrey Nwosu to restore people’s confidence and trust in the electoral system. I commend former President Muhammadu Buhari for immortalizing Late Chief MKO Abiola with GCFR and making June 12 Democracy Day, 25 years after the struggle by democrats, patriots, moralists and all lovers of social justice,” he stated.

Comrade Ezekwueme, who is Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State, recalled he embarked on self imposed hunger strike in protest over the annulment of June 12 Presidential election in 1993.

He called on Nigerians to exhibit in words and actions, spirit, letters and principles of June 12th characterized with oneness, love, patriotism, selflessness, unity in diversity and justice devoid of ethnicity, religion, statism or clans cleavages.

“I equally pay glowing tribute to Late Chief Gani Fawehemi, Dr.Beko Ransome-Kuti, Yinka Odumakin, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Col Abukakar Umar, Arthur Nwankwo, and Dr.Joe Odumakin for their relentless sacrifices towards enthronement of current democracy,” he stated.

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