Immortalise Abiola now, Atiku tells FG

…Says we can’t wish away June 12

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA— Former Vice President and a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the acclaimed winner of June 12 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, saying the events of that day could not just be wished away.

He said: “June 12 and the events that brought it are part of our country’s history and cannot be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that election day in 1993.”

In a statement  by his Media Office, yesterday, in Abuja, Abubakar described “late MKO Abiola, the leading personality of the June 12 struggle, as a national ‘hero and patriot’ deserving of accolades and honour by Nigerians.”

He called on the Federal Government to pay the necessary tribute to the late Chief Abiola by naming a befitting national institution after him.

According to him, the events of June 12, 1993 are a watershed in the history of the nation and, therefore, it behoves on all Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the nation never again repeat that painful experience.

The statement read:  “Atiku Abubakar recalls that June 12 traumatized Nigerians and made some people to question the unity and oneness of the country and whether true democracy can take root in the country.

“The Waziri commends Nigerians for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by  June 12  and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years.

‘’He says that it is a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today, democracy is flourishing in the country adding that restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.

“According to him, restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the Federation based on the principle of comparative advantage.’’

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