Vox Pop
MIXED reactions have continued to trail the unending call by some Nigerians that the federal government should immortalise June 12, 1993 as Democracy Day. Some of them feel strongly that the 1993 presidential election which was annulled on June 23 should be recognised by the federal government as the democracy day, as against May 29. Others believe that immortalising June 12, would amount to celebrating mediocrity. Below are what some Nigerians think on the issue.
Juliet Okonkwo, Banker: No matter how we pretend about it, no matter how those in authorities pretend about it, it has become a watershed for democracy in this country. I know that sooner or later, we would get to a stage where June 12, will become a nationally recognised holiday. I support the declaration of June 12 as democracy day.
Chukwudi Ogele, Marketer: I think we should turn June 12, to democracy day. We should forget May 29 and make June 12 democracy day. That is the date that defines the current dispensation in Nigeria. It is a defining moment for our democracy.
Augustine Chijiokem, Accountant: The only way to immortalise June 12, is to devote it to Chief MKO Abiola, who was the presumed winner of the presidential election by dedicating every June 12 as democracy day in his honour.
Chima Anyanwu, Communicator: I want President Goodluck Jonathan to immortalise June 12, because our past leaders made it appear like a child’s play. I want him to realise that it was the June 12, struggle that gave him the mandate today. So, he should genuinely immortalise June 12, in this country and not to pay lip service to it as his predecessors did.
Chuka Arum, Computer Operator: I am not one of those people that celebrate backwardness. That is the reason why I don’t like people talking about June 12. We have more problems in this country to tackle than talking about June 12, I want this country to survive but people who have nothing to offer this country are still talking about June 12. I don’t know why the opposition parties always like to politicise every issue in this country?
Donatus Ofili, Public Servant: Immortalise June 12, for what? Is it because the election was annulled or because MKO Abiola won it? As far as I’m concerned, if Nigeria immortalises June 12, we should also immortalise Ibrahim Babangida who annulled the election and even Nigerians who voted during the election. The point I’m making is that the events of June 12, 1993 are already in our history books, so we don’t need to create an opportunity for politicians looking for more avenues to steal money in the name of immortalising Abiola or June 12.
Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu
— Jul. 1, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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