Nigeria's Democracy Day: June 12, A Wrongly Celebrated Day in History -By Amb. Oladele Abdulsalam

"Nigeria's Democracy Day is a day we celebrate the restoration of democracy in Nigeria and not a day someone was cheated in democracy."

On 29th May 1999, Gen Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as the President of Nigeria which ended the decades of military rule that began in 1966 except the brief period between 1979 and 1983 others were military regimes.

The restoration of democracy in Nigeria on the 29th May, 1999 and its significance made the federal government declared every 29th of May as public holiday and thus swearing in of new government is to be done in one 29th of May in Nigeria until 2018 when something came up.

On the 6th June 2018, the Nigeria President (Gen. Muhammadu Buhari) woke up and realized that Chief MKO Abiola supposed to be one time president of this federation around 1993 through the acclaimed most free and fair election in Nigeria even if destiny had it that MKO Abiola would be one in his own mind but the election was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The joy and spirit of the June 12, 1993 election victory made Abiola misbehaved and declared himself as the president, an action that took him to prison and later costed his life. This was why Gen. Muhammadu Buhari changed the Nigeria's Democracy Day to June 12 in honor of late Chief MKO Abiola of the blessed memory.

Did June 12 supposed to be declared as Democracy Day?

Nothing insignificant is accommodated by history that is why man should learn from his history and should let its reflect in his doings.

The event of May 29th of 1999 was very significant and important to the political history of Nigeria and Africa when many international bodies had inputs and gave an ovation to the continent's giant for returning the leadership style to the most acceptable one (democracy). However, such day was declared to be public holiday then for its importance as we all know then why the changed?

Also June 12 had been given importance by the South Western States long ago inwhich each governor declared public holiday in honor of late Chief MKO Abiola which is very encouraging and worthy then why changing democracy day to June 12 again?

Anyways, the reasons behind the declaration of June 12 as the Nigeria's Democracy Day were best known to Mr President and the then Cabals in Aso Villa but does that have any benefit to Chief MKO Abiola himself? Does it had any value to him even after death? Did the declaration is in anyway add importance to Nigeria in International Arena? What has Nigerians gained therein since the declaration?

In conclusion, the late Chief MKO Abiola was an undiluted patriot who had tried his best in lifting the Nigeria's Flag through many means within his reach. He has been referred to as Nigeria's greatest statesman. He was a great philanthropist, successful businessman and politician who deserves much honour even after his death but however, the celebration of democracy on Abiola's day (June 12) is a wrong celebration in history.

Written By:

Amb. Oladele Abdulsalam

jimohsalami4@gmail.com

08100002949