By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and colour, to unite and build the country.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, made the call at an event organised by a non-governmental organisation, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movement (AYDM), to commemorate Democracy Day at the residence of late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola in Ikeja, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Sanwo-Olu said Nigerians should continue to have faith in the Renewed Hope mantra of President Bola Tinubu.
He said on June 12, Nigerians came together, to vote massively for Abiola, whom they believed would transform the country.
‘’It’s really unbelievable that it’s 30 years. But it just tells us that time waits for nobody. So time will not wait for our country and it will not wait for all of us. All that Chief MKO Abiola wants is good governance. Good governance so that we can elevate the destiny of these 200 million people out of poverty, that’s all. However, in his memory, we must remember what happened. Christians, Muslims, everybody came together to vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket. So we did de-emphasise religion and ethnicity. We came together as a people. So we must unite as a people, come together as a country so that we can build this nation. It is natural that we have our differences but it is important that we come together to build this nation,’’ he said.
In his welcome address at the event organised by AYDM, the group’s president, Mr. Adewale Adeoye, charged Nigerians to discourage the younger generation from calling for military rule adding that the worse version of democratic rule is better than the most benevolent military dictatorship.
Guest speaker at the event and former Secretary General, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Pa. Ayo Opadokun tasked Nigerians to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu so he could perform well.
“The challenges before us are great and we should be mindful of our notion, Yoruba people must not fail the nation, all of us must combine and collaborate with the new government for him (Tinubu) to perform very well,” he said.
During the visit by the governor to the late Abiola’s residence, President and Founder of the House of Politics (HOP) Nationwide, Alhaja Aminat Irawo urged Tinubu to declare late Chief MKO Abiola as winner of the 1993 presidential election and all entitlement given to him as former President of Nigeria.
Daughter of the deceased, Mrs Lola Edewor Abiola commended the Lagos State Government for their annual visits and support to the family. She noted that. Sanwo-Olu has been championing democracy in the state and hopes to see a better country which is what June 12 stood for.
Also speaking at the event, the president of Women Arise Initiative (WAI), Dr Joe Okei Odumakin tasked President Tinubu to recognised Abiola as past president of the country with all entitlements paid to the family.
She also charged President Tinubu to be pro-active in terms of securing the country and also work on reducing the pain that came with removal of subsidy.