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Celebrating June 12 evokes memories of dark days still with us-UAD

June 10, 2009


Image removed.1. As we in the United Action for Democracy (UAD) marks another June 12 anniversary, several things come to mind – the culture of impunity and executive lawlessness, the Ibrahim Babangida’s deceptive transition agenda, electoral malpractices, economic and social deprivation and increasing waves of insecurity which the election of June 12 were to wish away were the mandate expressed by 14 million Nigerians on 12 June, 1993 presidential elections to be respected.


2. June 12 symbolism brings fresh memories of the conspiracy by the local ruling cabal and the American agents in the July 7, 1998 state-murder of Bashorun MKO Abiola who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Equally is the unresolved question of justice in the judicial killing of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other 8 Ogonis; the assassination of Pa Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola and several other patriots that were either hounded, arbitrarily detained, and murdered.

3. The UAD notes that the political actors in the extant civilian dispensation are not in the least, committed to the building of democracy in Nigeria. Instead, Nigerians have been ruled since May 29, 1999 with a constitution that contains several flaws, and despite the initiatives and agitation by progressive organizations such as United Action for Democracy (UAD), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Citizen’s Forum on Constitutional Reform (CFCR), etc and patriots to rework the constitution and enhance the emergence of a process-led constitution, the PDP ruling cabal has continued to frustrate the triumph of the will of Nigerians.

4. An example in point is the use of a committee of select few by the deceptive Yar’Adua’s regime to undermine and disregard the country-wide public opinions expressed and consummated as germane recommendations by the Justice Uwais led Electoral Reform Panel (ERP). Rather than pursue the realization of ERP’s germane recommendations, the regime opts to frustrate the quest of Nigerians for a credible electoral process by sponsoring electoral reform bills meant to entrench the despicable culture of electoral manipulations, political brigandage and impunity that has characterized the polity since the wicked annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections.

5. We in the UAD wish to use the occasion of this year June 12 anniversary to reiterate our commitment to patriotic and informed contributions that would provide basis for democratic governance and conduct and pro-people policies of social and economic development of Nigeria, misrule and undemocratic conduct on all citizens.

6.UAD contends that the lesson of June 12 symbolism is for Nigerians to struggle for and consummate a pro-people political alternative to the present rot and brigandage in order rid Nigeria of the inhuman economic policies of neo-liberalism and Deregulation; and promote the emergence of a true Nigeria nation that is founded on human capital development, democratic  rule and social justice,

 

 

Comrade ABIODUN AREMU

Convener

08033347962

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