A Senior Nigerian advocate, Dr. Wahab Shittu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to name the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja after the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Shittu made the call while speaking at the annual June 12 National Dialogue organised by the Eminent Patriots of Nigeria, themed: “Democracy without a Democratic Constitution: Which Way for Nigeria?” held in Lagos on Thursday.
According to him, naming the INEC headquarters “MKO Abiola House” would serve as a symbolic gesture and a constant reminder to the nation’s leaders of the importance of credible elections to democratic governance.
The legal practitioner also urged the Federal Government to approve the release of Abiola’s entitlements to his family.
These actions, Shittu argued, would help assuage the pain still borne by the Abiola family following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by the then Ibrahim Babangida-led administration.
“Abiola and his family were wronged by the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election by the former President Ibrahim Babangida government. The Federal Government should release all entitlements and monies due to Abiola’s family to correct this injustice.
“Furthermore, the government under President Bola Tinubu should name the INEC headquarters MKO Abiola House,” Shittu said.
Speaking further, Shittu emphasized the need for a people-driven, homegrown constitution, adding that Nigerians must also cultivate a democratic culture.
“We have ‘cash-and-carry’ democracy; democracy by anointment; ‘kill-and-go’ democracy; democracy for stomach infrastructure. Without these, it’s difficult to gain political office. We need a people-driven, not military-imposed, constitution. Nigerians must embrace a democratic culture where they determine their future without inducements,” he said.
Other speakers at the event, held both physically and virtually, included former Minister of Finance, Dr. Idika Kalu; political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi; and members of The Patriots: Gboyega Adejumo, Wale Okunniyi, Chris Iyovwaye, Maxwell Gidado, Mike Omeri, Nwogwugwu Uche and Wale Okunniyi.
In his remarks, Kalu noted that despite the myriad challenges confronting the nation, Nigerians should still celebrate the continued existence of the Nigerian state.
While acknowledging that progress towards an ideal democracy had been slow, he urged citizens to “appreciate where we are and look forward.”
“We must resist forces working against our national interest. United as one country, no foe can conquer Nigeria,” he said.
In his intervention, Utomi expressed optimism that Nigeria would still rise.
Although he lamented that the country had yet to realise the dreams of those who fought for democracy, he stressed that the struggle must continue.
“When we fought for democracy, we hoped that by now, Nigeria would rank among the world’s top 10 nations. But look at where we are today. Is this the democracy some died for? Nigerians must keep fighting to reclaim their freedom. If we die, we die. Nigeria will rise again,” Utomi declared.
Gboyega Adejumo, in his contribution, argued that there was nothing worth celebrating about June 12.
According to him, “We are celebrating corruption. We may be marking the June 12 anniversary, but we are not celebrating.”
For Mike Omeri, the commemoration of June 12 should serve as a reminder that Nigeria must operate as a true federation, where all constituent units are willing to pool resources for national progress.
The Punch
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