The family of late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, has called on the National Assembly to enact a law that would permanently preserve the legacy of June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Speaking in Abeokuta during a special Democracy Day event, Hameen Abiola, son of the late politician and spokesman for the Abiola family, stressed that a formal legislative framework is essential to institutionalise June 12 in Nigeria’s political consciousness.
“There’s a risk that the ideals of June 12 may fade with time if not legally preserved,” Hameen warned, during a prayer session at the Abiola family home in Oja-Agbo, attended by Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele and other top Ogun State officials.
Hameen said the proposed legislation should not only honour MKO Abiola, but also immortalise Kudirat Abiola and the many unsung Nigerians who lost their lives in the struggle for democracy following the annulled election.
He emphasised that the legislation would help educate future generations about the sacrifices that birthed Nigeria’s current democratic era and instill civic values rooted in justice, equity, and freedom.
The call comes amid renewed interest in strengthening the legacy of June 12, which was officially designated as Democracy Day in 2018 by the Federal Government.