President Bola Tinubu has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Chief Moshood Abiola, acknowledging him as the rightful winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election and pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.
He also lauded his predecessor, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, for officially recognizing Abiola as president and for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day, Persecondnews reports.
“Let me pay tribute to my predecessor… for reaching back into history to rectify a national misdeed,” said Tinubu, who was one of the unrelenting foot soldiers of Abiola during and after the polls.
He made these remarks on Thursday during a special joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.
The president also recalled the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists who were killed, exiled, or jailed.
“We must celebrate the courage of Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression,” he said.
“We remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians who were imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, and beaten.”
Tinubu has dismissed allegations that his administration is seeking to establish a one-party state in Nigeria, stressing that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to welcome members from other parties.
“You are all welcome to the progressive fold. Nobody should close the door,” Tinubu told lawmakers.
“Political parties fearful of members leaving may be better served by examining their internal processes and affairs, rather than fearfully conjuring up demons that do not exist.”
Responding directly to insinuations of political dominance, he added, “I will not say, try your best to put your house in order. I will not help you to do so, either.”
Tinubu used the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic journey since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
“I felt a sense of collective accomplishment when I realised how far we had come as a nation,” he said.
“Democracy has risen from the ashes of military rule to reclaim its rightful place as the only acceptable form of governance for our resilient and beloved people.”
Tinubu urged continued cooperation between the executive and the legislature: “While we may not always agree, we must forge a way to work together—because this is what democracy demands of us.”
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