‘Assembly of political gladiators unnecessary, honour Abiola as president’

Former representative of Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, yesterday said June 12 should not be about gathering political gladiators in Abuja but a celebration of those who actually fought and died for Nigeria’s democracy.

Speaking at of June 12 anniversary tagged: June 12: Hope 1993 and Prospects of Democratic Prosperity and Political Stability in Nigeria in Lagos, Sani said the day should be about those who fought and died for the restoration of the country’s democracy.

He listed Gani Fawehinmi, Ransome Kuti, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Omoyele Sowore and the media, among others as those that should be recognised for June 12.

His words: “We should appreciate these people, not those who are trying to exploit the political advantage of the season. June 12 should serve as an avenue to chart a new course for the country.

“This can be done by restructuring the polity, enforcing security, respecting the constitution, uniting our people, ending politics of ethnicity and religion. June 12 is about unity, its principle is about democracy, its ideal is about justice, and so we should use it to build a new future for Nigeria.

“We should use the day to build on the achievements of democracy in the last 20 years.

Also speaking, convener of the June 12 movement, Wale Okuniyi, noted that Abiola should be honoured as President and not just as President-elect.

“He has been awarded Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR) and by that same logic his picture should be hung at the presidential among former presidents as part of the recognition.

This is because the man that presided over the June 12 election has also declared the result and so he should recognised and honoured as as President, not President-elect.

“The only way to achieve political stability in the country is to allow Nigerians to participate in a process that can lead to a people’s constitution, a process where everybody can say what they believe in through a referendum or a people’s conference,” he added.