Kola Abiola urges Tinubu to honour June 12 victims, slams Babangida’s memoir

DDM News

Kola Abiola has called on the federal government to honour victims of the June 12 democratic struggle.

He issued a detailed statement in response to former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s recently published memoir, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathers.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to recognise those imprisoned or killed under General Sani Abacha.

He specifically mentioned Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Chief Alfred Rewane as key figures in the pro-democracy NADECO struggle.

Others acknowledged were journalists and activists like Mohammed Adamu, Alao Aka-Bashorun, Mr. Olu Akerele, and Mr. Frank Kokori.

Kola commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for taking significant steps to honour the legacy of June 12.

He recalled that Buhari declared June 12 as National Democracy Day in 2018, replacing the previous May 29 celebration.

He also noted that Buhari renamed the Abuja National Stadium as MKO Abiola Stadium in 2019.

Kola criticised former President Olusegun Obasanjo for not acknowledging June 12 during his eight years in office.

He urged President Tinubu to complete the process Buhari began and correct the injustices of the past.

He proposed a national register to document unnamed victims of the June 12 annulment crisis.

He also recommended constructing a national monument to commemorate that significant period in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Kola expressed concern that Nigeria had not learned meaningful lessons from the June 12 experience.

He emphasised the need to incorporate a factual June 12 account into the national education curriculum.

He said doing so would ensure Nigeria’s young population receives an honest history of democratic struggles.

Noting that 65 percent of Nigerians are youths, he stressed the importance of passing on this knowledge.

Kola criticised Babangida’s claim that he annulled the 1993 election because he feared for his life.

He found it ironic that a military general claimed fear, while a civilian like MKO Abiola showed courage.

He faulted Babangida for naming only the late General Sani Abacha, who cannot defend himself.

Kola said it was disappointing that Babangida avoided naming living individuals involved in the annulment decision.

He argued that truth and justice require full disclosure, even 32 years after the June 12 events.

He called for the naming of a specific unnamed Lieutenant General who played a key role.

Kola said failing to name culprits only reinforces views that Babangida acted to preserve personal power.

He concluded that naming those responsible is vital for reconciliation and preserving Nigeria’s democratic integrity.

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