Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital and home town of the acclaimed winner of the June 12th election, late Chief MKO Abiola, marked the 20th anniversary of the June 12 election with a democracy walk led by the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.
The walk went around major streets of the state capital.
Addressing family members at a special prayer session at the family residence of the late business mogul, Mr Amosun described June 12 as a watershed in the nation’s democratic experience, saying that it should not be wished away just like that
Thanking the state government for its supports for the family, younger brother of the late declared winner of the June 12 election, Alhaji Mubasiru Abiola however absolved the former military President, General Badamasi Babangida of having hands in the death of his brother.
Twenty years ago, Nigeria recorded a watershed in its electoral process as Nigerians from all parts of the country threw religious and ethnic differences overboard and trooped out enmasse to vote the now late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
Contesting on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), late Abiola beat his National Republican Convention (NRC) challenger, Bashir Tofa, with 2.25 million votes in the election that is renowned the most credible in the nation’s history.
Although the result of that election was annulled by the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, the June 12, 1993 election thereafter became a marker in Nigeria electoral history, adjudged to be “the freest and fairest election in the country”.
Rallies are today, held in most south west states to eulogise the late MKO Abiola.
