From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
As Nigeria marked Democracy Day on June 12, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Dr. Mark Okoye II, paid tribute to the nation’s democratic journey, recalling the struggles of the past and the strides made over the years.
In a deeply personal reflection shared on his official social media platform, Okoye also known as MO II recalled his earliest memories of the June 12, 1993 election, which saw business mogul Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola emerge as the presumed winner in what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.
“That election, and its subsequent annulment by the military regime, sparked nationwide unrest and birthed a movement that would redefine the country’s political destiny.
“There was energy in the air. Hope and excitement,” he wrote, recalling the enthusiasm that greeted Abiola’s campaign. “Then came the annulment. Suddenly, the country felt tense. Soldiers filled the streets… it felt, even to a child, like the country was on the edge.”, He said.
He credited figures such as Gani Fawehinmi, members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), and other pro-democracy activists for laying the foundation for the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
Among them, he noted, was the Nation’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who he described as a prominent figure in the resistance movement and now serves as the democratically elected President of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu now sits as Nigeria’s democratically elected leader, implementing bold ideas and courageous reforms aimed at setting our country on the path to unity, renewed hope, and lasting prosperity,” Dr. MOII noted.
His statement echoed President Tinubu’s national broadcast on Thursday, in which he paid tribute to the history of Nigeria’s democratic struggle and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding democracy, delivering economic reforms, and fostering national unity.
“Democracy is the foundation upon which we can, and must, build prosperity, hope, and progress,” Dr. MOII emphasized, urging Nigerians to support ongoing reforms and contribute to building the Nigeria of their dreams.
He added that while Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress, the peaceful transition of power among five successive presidents since 1999 is a testament to the resilience of the country’s democratic institutions.
“May Nigeria win. Always,” his post concluded.
Nigeria’s Democracy Day is celebrated annually on June 12 in honour of the 1993 election and those who fought to ensure the nation’s return to civilian rule.