JUNE 12 COALITION FELICITATES NIGERIANS ON 31ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEOPLES MANDATE AND DEMOCRACY DAY, CHARGES THEM TO KEEP FAITH WITH DEMOCRACY
The June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations (J12CODEF) which is a conglomeration of over 75 civil society organizations, self determination groups, labour and public interest organizations congratulates and felicitates with the great people of Nigeria on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the June 12 1993 presidential election which was treasonably annulled by the military junta of former military head of state Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (Retd.) on June 23rd 1993 via an unsigned statement which subsequently plunged Nigeria into a political, economy and social crisis, the scars of which remains with us till date.
It will be recalled that even the winner of that historic June 12 1993 presidential election which has been described as one of the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s political history late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola GCFR was detained in harrowing conditions and subsequently died in unexplained circumstances in detention for insisting on exercising the mandate of the Nigerian people freely given to him.
In a statement issued in Lagos today June 12 2024 on the commemoration of the June 12 anniversary and signed by the organization secretary Nelson Ekujumi, the June 12 Coalition stated that, “As we commemorate this great day which serves as a reminder of the unity, oneness and resilience of the Nigerian people against military despotism, we must pay tribute to the heroes and heroines of that struggle both living and dead led by late President Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola for our political, social and economic emancipation, we say to them, we are eternally grateful”.
The Coalition also praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for writing his name in Gold by recognizing and acknowledging June 12 as Nigeria’s democracy day, unlike his predecessors who tried futilely like the military despots to consign the date to the dustbin of history. To former President Muhammadu Buhari, “June 12 Coalition and Nigerians are eternally grateful for his indelible footprints in our democratic journey”.
June 12 Coalition saluted and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), one of the heroes of the June 12 struggle because of his selfless sacrifice with others of like minds which birth the present democracy, for remaining faithful to the course just like his predecessor in commemorating June 12 as Nigeria’s democracy day.
The organization also called on all the stakeholders in the present national minimum wage discussion, to put the interest of the nation first, be logical and rational to reach a compromise to move the nation forward.
The June 12 Coalition then used the occasion of the June 12 anniversary to congratulate, commend and charge the politically conscious and vigilant Nigerian people to remain faithful and loyal to democracy notwithstanding the present socio economic challenges we are going through which is a global phenomenon, because “We are optimistic that together, we shall overcome”.
Once again, June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations (J12CODEF) congratulates Nigerians and wish us all many more years of peace, progress, prosperity, resilience and commitment to birth the Nigeria of the vision of our founding fathers and our dreams.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Nelson Ekujumi,
General Secretary.
