June 12 : Activist, Ezekwueme tasks Tinubu to immortalize Kudirat, Nwosu, Ezeife

By Cyprian Ebele, Oniitsha

A human rights activist and Social Crusader, Vincent Ezekwueme on Tuesday, appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immortalize the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, including Pa Alfred Rewane, Pius Ezeife and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who conducted the most transparent, credible, freest, fairest and general acceptable election in the country.

Ezekwueme who made this known while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State, said that the election conducted by the above persons was wildly accepted by both national and international communities.

Recall that Late Chief MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party, SDP, was massively voted by majority of Nigerian electorate in spite of Muslim-Muslim ticket, but the election was annulled by Babangida administration.

The activist, Ezekwueme said: “It is pertinent to note that Chief MKO Abiola Kudirat, Rewane and others paid the supreme sacrifices for the democracy we are enjoying today. Whereas late former Governor Pius Ezeife insisted his firm stand for actualization of Abiola’s mandate.He preferred to relinguish his position as governor than to abandon June 12 struggle. Professor Nwosu was patriotic, selfless, just and upright by conducting freest and fairest election.

“Worthy of note is for Nigeria and Nigerians to imbibe and live lesson and principles of June 12 through patriotism, selflessness ,integrity, socio-conomic justice and love for common good and interest of the people. Pertinently political class should ensure implementation of Abiola’s campaign slogan, ” Hope 93 Farewell to Poverty” as greatest and best tribute to his memory .

“Our electoral empire should emulate transparent elections conducted by Professor Humphrey Nwosu to restore people’s confidence and trust in the electoral system. I commend former President Buhari for immortalizing Late Chief MKO Abiola with GCFR and making June 12 Democracy Day, 25 years after the struggle by democrats, patriots, journalists and all lovers of social justice,” he stated

Ezekwueme who is Chairman, Civil Liberties Organization, Anambra State, recalled he embarked on self imposed hunger strike in protest over the annulment of June 12 Presidential election in 1993.

He called on Nigerians to exhibit in words and actions, spirit, letters and principles of June 12th characterized with oneness ,love patriotism, selflessness, unity in diversity and justice devoid of ethnicity, religion, statism or clans cleavages.