June 12: Abiola’s wife wants NASS to outlaw military intervention
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Mrs Tinu Abiola, wife of late Chief MKO Abiola, has urged the National Assembly to enact a law that will prohibit military intervention in Nigerian politics.
Abiola made the call while fielding questions from newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja in commemoration of 25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria.
She, however, commended the military hierarchy for subjecting itself to democratic rule over the years.
Recall that in 2018 former President, Muhammadu Buhari, moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 , to posthumously honour MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Abiola’s wife called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu who contributed immensely to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
“We have to thank God that democracy has come to stay; without the June 12 event, probably, military rule will still have remained in Nigeria.
“So, one of the major achievements of MKO Abiola, winning that election, even though he was not allowed to rule, was that he opened the door; he opened the eyes of every Nigerian to democratic rule, and democracy has come to stay.
“Now, as we move on, what I will advise Nigerians to do is to please cooperate with the present government of Tinubu, who himself, fought for June 12.
“He was a staunch member of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and he did his best for the actualisation of June 12, unfortunately, all their best was not enough at that time; because some things are predestined by God.
“So, my happiness today is to see one of those fighters of that time becoming the president of Nigeria; it is so great.”
She implored Nigerians to be patriotic and imbibe the culture of making Nigeria great.
According to her, there is a need for Nigerians to love Nigeria at heart and do the right things at all times that will promote the image of Nigeria anywhere in the world.
She said that the National Assembly had a crucial role to play in preserving Nigeria’s democracy.
“Part of what I want the National Assembly to do is to enact the necessary law; especially a law that will prohibit coup d’état in Nigeria; it is very important.
“We have had an unbroken democracy for 25 years but I think the National Assembly has not done enough; it should enact a law that will prohibit military intervention in Nigerian politics.
“Look at what happened in Burkina Faso, it happened in Niger; it happened in Guinea-Bissau; so, both houses should come together and enact a law that will prohibit military intervention in Nigeria.
“We are happy to have 25 years of unbroken democracy but it is not enough; until a law is enacted prohibiting military intervention.
“I also want to commend the military hierarchy. Between 1999 and today, they have been wonderful; they have done well.
“They have submitted themselves to democratic rule but we cannot rely on the fact that it will continue to be rosy; there must be a law and that will put everybody’s mind at peace,’’ she said.
She advised the Federal Government to take some parts of MKO’s manifesto into its programmes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
CJ/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
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