June 12: Still a vote for unity

The swearing-in of Nigerian leaders, who won 2019 elections, for second term tenure in office was low-keyed. Few eminent dignitaries, prominent personalities etc.., were said to be present and graced the occasion. PMB, had earlier said the event will be very low key, stressing that it will be a complete departure from past ones that […]

The swearing-in of Nigerian leaders, who won 2019 elections, for second term tenure in office was low-keyed. Few eminent dignitaries, prominent personalities etc.., were said to be present and graced the occasion.

PMB, had earlier said the event will be very low key, stressing that it will be a complete departure from past ones that characterized profligacy and unnecessary waste of resources.

After reading some comments on the low-keyed nature of inauguration day, I realized the democracy day will be celebrated in a welcoming atmosphere, by many Nigerians and other interesting nationals alike across the globe.

However, my attention was drawn and I feel should put down my pen to utter but amateurish wording concerning the democracy day that is barely a couple of weeks away.

The Nigerian democracy day will of course be celebrated in a rowdy state, with all sorts of people across Nigeria and beyond, from different walks of life.

Notwithstanding, I opine democracy day will be celebrated for sundry of reasons; and will attract different personalities from different socio-political inclination and background. Among, is the injustice that was meted out to Abiola in June 12, 1993 during Nigerian presidential election, as the then military regime was preparing to hand over power to democratically leader, Abiola, who won the election. Unfortunately, Abiola didn’t realize his dream!

If you ever followed history or read about it, you know that Abiola was just denied the mandate for no justifiable reasons, only for primordial sentiments and boggling constraints.

It is really a very big and fascinating footstep by PMB as he propelled Nigerian entity into the state of harmonious and indivisible nation for naming Nigerian democracy day after “June 12.”

The democracy day was formerly celebrated every 29 May, to commemorate and honor the heroism of our past leaders whose struggle to secure the country were never in vain.

If I may be asked to grace between inaugural day and democracy day, I will rather choose the latter because of its ‘unity rhetoric’ among Nigerians. It gives the impression that PMB wants the indivisible Nigeria to thrive. And Nigerian belongs to all.

In the run up to 2019 general elections, some ill-meaning citizens have argued that PMB had only named democracy day after June 12 to endear himself and consolidate his electoral bloc in the Yoruba land ahead of 2019 general election.

Although many would view it as unfounded move, but it wasn’t so and never surprised well-meaning citizens and peace advocates when, PMB last year, declared the Nigerian democracy day to be celebrated every June 12 of a year, to posthumously honor the historic day and its monumental place in the Nigerian democratic sojourn.

Buhari will undoubtedly leave behind a cherishing legacy, for naming June 12 Nigerian democracy day when he leaves office.

 

Ahmad Hussaini Baffa wrote from Hadejia.