Adebayo, Okereke Say Poverty, Insecurity Undermine June 12 Democratic Ideals

Adebayo, Okereke say hardship, insecurity and weak institutions betray sacrifices made for democracy.

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, and his counterpart in the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Dr. Esther Nkem Okereke, said although Nigeria had sustained democratic rule for over two decades, millions of citizens remained trapped in poverty, insecurity and political disenchantment.

In separate Democracy Day messages commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, the two opposition candidates argued that the ideals that inspired the historic poll were yet to be fully realised.

Adebayo described June 12 as a sacred reminder of the supremacy of the people’s will and the sacrifices made by patriots who fought for democratic governance in Nigeria. According to him, the 1993 election represented one of Nigeria’s brightest moments and offered the country an opportunity to become a model of democratic renewal on the African continent.

He lamented that the annulment of the election by the military government amounted to a betrayal of both the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians.

“June 12 reminds us that the people are the true owners of power. What happened in 1993 was not just the annulment of an election; it was a betrayal of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians,” he said.

On her part, Okereke painted an even grimmer picture of the state of the nation, declaring that democracy was “bleeding” under the weight of poverty, insecurity, corruption and declining public trust in institutions. Recalling her childhood memories of the June 12 struggle, she said ordinary Nigerians embraced MKO Abiola not because of politics but because he embodied hope for a better future.

She paid tribute not only to Abiola and Kudirat Abiola but also to renowned pro-democracy figures such as Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, China Ubani and numerous unnamed student leaders, journalists and civil rights activists who challenged military dictatorship.

According to her, the ultimate objective of their sacrifices was to build a country where every child could access quality education, every family could access healthcare and every young Nigerian could find meaningful employment without relying on political connections.

“Democracy is bleeding. The court you run to for justice sometimes fails you. The vote you cast with hope sometimes disappears. The market where a trader sells goods is overwhelmed by inflation before the day ends,” she said.

Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Sunday Aborisade, Sunday Ehighiator, Yinka Kolawole, Ahmad Sorodinki, Segun Awofadeji