FROM Laide Raheem, Abeokuta, Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
Ogun, Osun and Ondo state governments have declared Monday, June 12, as public holiday to commemorate the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election won by by late MKO Abiola.
This was contained in separate releases signed by the secretaries to the Government of the three states and made available to journalists yesterday.
The release from Ogun reads: “Consistent with the practice of the past six years, and, as a way of identifying with and keeping the ideals of June 12 alive, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work free.
“The annual holiday is in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, which marked a unique watershed in Nigeria’s democratic development”.
In the same vein, the statement from Osun said: “In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as Democracy Day, the State Government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12 as public holiday.” Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the holiday was imperative in view of June 12 as a watershed in the history of democratic evolution in the country.
Also, Ondo State governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), directed that the date be work free in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Segun Ajiboye, Governor Akeredolu said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice culminated in the hurried departure of the military from the political scene in 1999.