This is what Governor Ajimobi plans to do next

– Governor Abiola Ajimobi declared a public holiday to honour late Moshood Abiola despite an on-going industrial action embarked upon by workers

– The governor urged the federal government to immortalise Abiola and recognise him as a former president as well as honour him with an award

– The governor said June 12 remains a watershed in the history of the country because of the significance of the day in the nation’s democratic journey

The Oyo state government has declared Monday public holiday in commemoration of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

MKO Abiola is to be honoured with a public holiday by Governor Abiola Ajimobi

The election was claimed to have been won by late Moshood Abiola but was cancelled by Ibrahim Babangida, then head of state.

Lagos and Ogun also celebrated the day with different events, despite the on-going state-wide strike action embarked upon by labour in Oyo, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has declared a holiday for Monday.

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A statement by Yomi Layinka, the spokesperson of the governor: “June 12 remains a watershed in the history of the country because of the significance of the day in the nation’s democratic journey, having broken all ethnic and religious barriers.

“The annulled election is yet to be matched in terms of fairness, transparency, openness and widespread acceptability.

“Much as the electoral umpire that midwifed subsequent elections had tried, the annulled election remains the best in terms of organisation and no system adopted for the conduct of subsequent elections is yet to match Option A4 used to conduct the June 12 election.”

The statement added: “Besides, the resolve of Nigerians to put aside their differences and troop out en masse to collectively vote for a positive change was a demonstration of the fact that Nigerians were not ready to negotiate the unity of the country even in the face of diversity.

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“That the symbol of the annulled election, Chief MKO Abiola, opted to pay the supreme price to defend his mandate has deepened democracy and the price he paid is what political leaders are enjoying up till today.”

The governor urged the federal government to immortalise Abiola and recognise him as a former president.

He also urged that the late Abiola be conferred with the highest honour in the country.

“There is no doubt that Abiola won the election, despite failed attempts by those that contested the election with him to twist facts and re-write history.

“We must keep the memory of Abiola alive and the least we can do is to continue to commemorate the day and bring out its fond memories as a lesson in electoral transparency and openness.

READ ALSO: IBB’s 1993 presidential election annulment speech

“We should not forget him as he remains one of the greatest martyrs this country has ever produced, so that generations yet unborn will know that somebody laid down his life in defence of democracy and the rule of law.

“His death in custody of the then federal government is known to God and may his soul continue to rest in perfect peace.”

In Ogun state, the family of Abiola also called on the federal government to declare him the winner of the election as well as a former president.

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