Igbo leaders in Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the Federal Government to compensate adequately the family of late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, Presidential Election for the loss brought on his household, occasioned by the annulment of the poll exercise and the death of their breadwinner.
The leaders made the call as they gathered in Oregun area of the state to celebrate June 12 as Democracy Day, and thanking God that 27 years of struggle to institute democracy in the country ended in praise, with Eze Uche Dimgba, Mr Joe Igbokwe, Dr Ken Mordi, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, Barrister Princess Ughelia Onu, Hon. Smart Oya, among others in attendance.
Speaking with newsmen, Apex Leader of Igbo in Lagos, Ugbokwe, while calling for compensation for the Abiola family, argued that no amount would too much to be paid for loss of death the business mogul and his wife, Alhaja Simbiat, as well as the collapse of his many businesses which he said were systematically dismantled by agents of the government.
According to him, no amount of money that would be paid to the family as compensation can relieve the pain but demanded that the Abiola family must be adequately compensated for the spirit of June 12 to be finally laid to rest.
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“Don’t forget, no amount of money given to Abiola’s family will relieve the pain, but they must be adequately compensated for the spirit of June 12 to be finally laid to rest,” he said.
Igbokwe expresses the group’s appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring that the Federal Government under his leadership recognized June 12 as Democracy Day, 27 years after the struggle, a feat he said seven heads of government before him failed to accomplish.
He lamented that over 5,000 Nigerians died between 1993 and 1998 fighting for democracy to be instituted in the country, declaring that the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day was a proof that they did not die in vain.
Igbokwe, however, enjoined Nigerians to protect the democracy they were currently enjoying, saying it was still better than any military government, adding: “The worst democracy in Nigeria is better than the military regime.”
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