Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has sent a message to President Muhammadu Buhari after he [Buhari] signed June 12 Public Holiday and Democracy Day bill into law yesterday.
In a statement she personally signed and made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday, Mrs. Tinubu said, “I felicitate with all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and, in particular, the trail-blazing, tenacious and law-abiding citizens of the Lagos Central Senatorial District who, along with other Lagosians, played such courageous and significant role in the events that made June 12, 1993 historic and consequential.”
DAILY POST reported yesterday that Buhari had signed the Public Holiday Amendment bill into law.
The lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District added that “It has taken twenty-six years to witness the very first observance of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
“We cannot but recall that it was on June 12, 1993 that Nigerians from all tribes, walks of life and religious affiliations indicated their clear and resolute preference for democracy and all its ideals.
“I recognise and salute the man who personified everything lofty and laudable that June 12 now represents: Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of blessed memory.
“I commend our beloved President Muhammadu Buhari, whose government finally deemed it fit to recognise June 12 as the date that truly deserves recognition as Nigeria’s rightful Democracy Day.
“I honour the men and women who sacrificed their freedom, resources, safety and properties in the struggle for the actualization of the mandate of Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola which was freely given on June 12, 1993 and thereafter for the recognition of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
“More importantly, we cannot but recall and honour the memory of those who paid the ultimate price in the struggle. May their souls rest in peace and may our efforts be worthy of their huge sacrifice.
“I, therefore, call on all Nigerians and all political office holders to be challenged by the sacrifice of our heroes past and to use the occasion of this first observance of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day to rededicate themselves to the ideals of unity, peace and progress on which our nation was founded.
“God bless the Lagos Central Senatorial District.
“God bless Lagos State.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”