Politics
FEMI Falana, SAN, a human rights lawyer, has advised that June 12 celebration should not be seen as a Yoruba struggle but a national movement that gave birth to the 18 years of uninterrupted democratic in Nigeria.
Falana made the submission at a public lecture to mark the 24th anniversary of the June 12 presidential election won by the late Moshood Abiola, on Monday, June 12 in Akure, Ondo State capital. The event was organised by the Ondo State government on the presidential election presumed to be won by the late Moshood Abiola and annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida regime.
The lawyer described June 12 as a national movement, saying: “it is wrong for any Nigerian to tag it a Yoruba struggle.”
Nevertheless, Falana advocated for proper restructuring of Nigeria, which he described as not negotiable. He said that political restructuring without economic restructuring was not the solution to the under-development of the country.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said that June 12 struggle remained a special day in the nation’s political history. Akeredolu said that many believed that the June 12 phenomenon transcended the individuality of Abiola and should not be forgotten.
In recognition of the late politician, the governor announced the renaming of the Democracy Park in Akure as the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, saying that the meeting was not a political gathering.
Akeredolu had earlier declared June 12 work free day in Ondo State.
— Jun 12, 2017 @ 16:50 GMT
Tags: Femi Falana Governor Rotimi Akeredolu June 12 Moshood Abiola Ondo State SAN Yoruba
