June 12: Buhari Has Corrected Nigeria’s Faulty Democratic Foundation – Hafzat Abiola-Costello
Hafzat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the late presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (M.K.O) Thursday commended the federal government for declaring June 12 every year as democracy day , saying the decision has set the country on the path of true democracy.
Abiola-Costello who spoke with journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State about the development pointed out that the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government has corrected Nigeria’s faulty democratic foundation which had earlier set May 29th as democracy day for the country.
Daughter of the late business mogul turned politician, Hafzat expressed her joy and gratitude to the president for having the courage to make the declaration, stressing that such decision has rooted Nigeria in the process that actually produced the present democracy.
Abiola-Costello, who could not hid her emotions about the federal government’s official recognition of the date, sang songs of praises to God for touching the mind of the president on the matter.
She noted that the development would also motivate and impact the mind set of Nigerian leaders in taking bold step to do right things for the country.
“What the past leaders have been telling us since 1999 was that the June 12 issue is a South- West issue and I wondered why an election in which vast majority of Nigerians voted for one person could be so described.
“I have been wondering over the years if Nigerian leaders are so petty without moral compunction as to limit and confine such activity and date to regional affair.
“President Buhari has, however done the right thing and acceded to the yearnings of Nigerians and make it a national issue.
“I believe more Nigerians will now be ready to re-dedicate their lives to Nigeria and be ready to commit themselves selflessly and sacrificially to the nation like late Moshood Abiola did.
“There was a time we had a president in 1999 whom Nigerians begged to recognise the date but refused and remained insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians for eight years.
”The good Lord has proven that such insensitivity has limit and has raised another president who has now done the right thing 25 years after while that former president is still living to witness the glory he should have taken go to another President with a large heart.
“There is an arrogance to power but leaders should realise that the only thing that tempers the arrogance of power is the temporarily of power.
She also noted that the development would further boost Nigeria’s image internationally as the global world would begin to take Nigeria more seriously and relate with the nation with more respect.
Abiola-Castelo encouraged Buhari to take more courageous steps to fix Nigeria particularly in the areas of the economy and political structure.
She also commended the leaders and people of the South West region of Nigeria for remaining resolute and committed over the June 12 struggle.
She urged Nigerians to remain steadfast, support the federal government in moving Nigeria forward and stop all forms of killings.
“If only we realise that the whole of the black race is waiting for us, we will conduct ourselves better.”
