In tandem with the annual Democracy Day celebrations, the Nigerian government has made an open announcement that Monday, June 13 will be made a public holiday to mark the 2022 Democracy Day.
Rauf Aregbesola who is the Nigerian Minister of Interior has also congratulated Nigerians on the occasion which commemorates the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. The poll, won by the late business mogul M.K.O. Abiola, was cancelled by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida regime thus leading to a lot of controversies that shaped Nigeria’s democracy today.
Aregbesola urged citizens to support President Muhammadu Buhari administration in its efforts at ensuring a united and prosperous nation.
The minister told them to reflect on the journey Nigeria has made for the enthronement of a democratic order and the sacrifices of patriots.
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He urged Nigerians to work toward remaining an indivisible entity as no development can take place in an acrimonious environment.
“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open.”
Argegbesola further appealed to the people to appreciate, understand, honour each other and live together in peace
The Federal Government also reiterated that Nigeria has a lot to celebrate with 23 years of uninterrupted democracy and its citizens reaping dividends of civil rule.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a media briefing to announce the activities lined up to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day.
Fielding questions from journalists, the minister recalled that between 1966 and 1999, the country had barely six years of democratic rule. He said 1993 was a watershed in the history of the country when the most free and fair election was conducted which was later annulled on June 12 same year by the military
The minister also said that after the annulment of the 1993 elections, which brought Nigeria to the brink, the country was also ruled by the military for another six years.
He said that with the return to democracy in 1999 the country has not witnessed any military incursion.
“Between 1999 and 2008 we celebrated Democracy Day on May 29 and that was the day the military handed over power after a lot of disruption.
“No government before now had the courage to declare June 12 as Democracy Day. It took the courage of President Mohammadu Buhari to do so.
“We are also celebrating the day to pay tribute to MKO Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election and also to other Nigerians who lost their lives during the struggle,” he said.
Earlier the minister announced that the press briefing kick-started activities for the 2022 Democracy Day celebration, adding that it would be followed by a public lecture; and Jumat on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He said on Sunday, June 12, there would be a presidential broadcast in the morning and a Service at the National Christian Centre at 3 p.m. The Mohammed said on Monday, there would be a Ceremonial Parade at the Eagle Square starting from 9 a.m.
