The current political class across the country should not allow the labour of June 12 heroes and heroines to be in vain. As a matter of urgency, dividends of democracy must be delivered to our people and Nigeria must be great again. Political class must bear in mind what MKO Abiola stood and fought for. They should all bear in mind that amassing wealth and poor governance is no longer sustainable.
This is a challenging times in our nation's history, especially among Nigerian electorates. The hero of our democracy, in person of the great MKO Abiola, stood for truth and justice, he fought for his mandate till his last breath. He was passionate about the Nigerian people and was ready to salvage the country from bad governance, poor economy and hunger— that permeated the length and breath of Nigeria at that time.
The declaration of June 12 as a democracy day and the conferment of the highest honour in the land on Abiola by Federal Government is commendable and worthwhile. However, in the course of the national discourse about June 12, I took some moment to go through Abiola's speech after the annulment of the 1993 presidential election, popularly called Epetedo declaration.
I could not help but notice that many issues raised by Abiola are still with us today. He spoke— among other things— about challenge about reclaiming his mandate and his ordeals in the democratic space.
However, what caught my attention were issues raised about the poor state of our economy, corruption, bad governance and undermocratic nature of Nigerian state at that time. Many of these things are still the current situation of our country.
MKO Abiola as a symbol of democracy should be a wake up call to Nigerians especially the political class. They must as a matter of urgency rescue this country from the precipice of collapse, they must discharge their duties in accordance with the constitution of the land. Our political class and elites must be aware that they cannot continue to live in denial and assume all is well with the people of Nigeria.
They cannot be celebrating June 12 and continue to disobey court orders. What a contradiction! They must ensure that our institutions work for all. They must see to the rebuilding of Nigerian project as a matter of urgency. Our roads, hospitals, schools and the likes must be rescued from this horrible state.
On Nigerian youths, MKO Abiola said: "our youths, in particular, can see no hope on the horizon, and many can only dream of escaping from our shores to join the brain drain. Is this the Nigeria we want? " This is still the reflection of things in our country, many years after delivering that speech. Of course, this is not a good time to be a youth in Nigeria. Nigerian youths are most traumatized, angry and dissatisfied set of people at this material time.
Many of them are hungry, poor and unemployed. Many of whom are now seeking asylum in foreign countries in search of greener pastures. The government and the political class should create enabling environment and jobs for these army of unemployed people who constitute the larger percentage of our population.
The current political class across the country should not allow the labour of June 12 heroes and heroines to be in vain. As a matter of urgency, dividends of democracy must be delivered to our people and Nigeria must be great again. Political class must bear in mind what MKO Abiola stood and fought for. They should all bear in mind that amassing wealth and poor governance is no longer sustainable.
Let them be aware that their names and deeds will be registered in the annals of history. Like those who stood against the mandate of the people in 1993 are biting their fingers and regretting their actions, so also will those who are standing against the prosperity of Nigeria in days to come.
All hands must be on desk to ensure that Nigeria become prosperous in few years time. This country must work for us all, irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation. God bless Nigeria.
Adetoba Adeola writes from Akure