DIVERSE reactions have trailed the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to move Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12. I am no longer an admirer of this administration, but objectivity and fairness must be upheld. While many have commended the move, many people have lashed the President saying it is only a political move ahead of the forthcoming elections. Others have said it is only to gain support in the South West.
MKO Abiola and June 12 deserve immortalizstion. Till date, the June 12, 1993 elections is still adjudged the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s checkered history. The sacrifices Abiola made translated into the democracy we enjoy today. There are people who, for nearly two decades have struggled and hoped that June 12 is made Democracy Day. Today, people are grateful. June 12 is the befitting date for Democracy Day. Posterity will not overly care if it was a political move or not.
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However, there is a question for those who don’t want to see any good in this. There were 16 years in the current Fourth Republic before Muhammadu Buhari came to power, considering how significant it is, how come none of the previous administrations took this decision? Why didn’t they reap (untiringly) the political advantage?
Muhammadu Buhari’s decision is commendable. And posterity will not forget this. However, this is not to take attention away from the incessant killings going on in the country – this has to stop. And the failings of this administration, posterity will not forget that either.
- Adeyemi Ahmed Abiodun,
adeyemiahmedabiodun@gmail.com
and then