The family of MKO Abiola, the popularly adjudged winner of the June 1993 presidential election, on Saturday, complained that the Federal Government has not fulfilled the promises made to the family.
The family Secretary, Rahaman Abiola disclosed this in an interview with newsmen when a delegation of the Ogun State Government, led by the Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, visited the Abiola family home in Abeokuta to mark the June 12 Democracy Day.
President Muhammadu Buhari, on assumption of office as a democratically elected president had changed Nigeria’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 as a mark of honour for the late politician.
Rahman Abiola said that since the President declared June 12 as Democracy Day, the family has not benefited anything from the Federal Government.
He added that the in spite of the promises made by the government, the family has still not seen anything beyond the change in date.
Nonetheless, Rahaman commended the Federal Government for honouring Abiola with the award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.
According to him, “We are happy indeed that President Muhammadu Buhari deemed it fit to honour Abiola by giving him the GCFR and making June 12 official Democracy Day. Kudos to that.
“So far, so good, we have not benefitted anything from the Federal Government.
“Ogun State Government right from Chief Olusegun Osoba to Governor Gbenga Daniel, to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and now to Governor Dapo Abiodun, they always honour MKO Abiola every June 12.
“Ogun State Government will always come with all the machineries to make the day happen and to recognise that this man was born in this area and this is his hometown. Our breadwinner has gone. Promises from the Federal Government we have not seen yet. On June 12, state government is trying its best. I give kudos to them on June 12. Governor comes here always to pay solidarity to the house and empower us to make sure June 12 is celebrated all the time.
“The Governor who stated this at an event organised by the Sate Government to mark the celebration of Democracy Day, said “MKO Abiola and his mandate should serve as a reminder to all of us that we are stronger together as a nation.
“He (Abiola) broke all barriers such as religion and ethnicity that are being used in Nigeria today to divide us. He won across the length and breadth of the country, even at the backyard of his main opponents. It was a phenomenon that should remind us that we are greater than our challenges.
“Unless and until we embrace the essence of the MKO persona, internalise belief in self, faith in a united country and other initiatives that help to engender a sense of shared heritage amongst Nigerian people, we will continue to be a country in search of Nationhood.”
Read also:
Why Goodluck Jonathan Did not Honour MKO Abiola
About the Author
1 thought on “Government Has Not Fulfilled June 12 Promises – MKO Abiola Family”
Comments are closed.