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Activist calls for reenactment of spirit, principles of June 12 in 2023 presidential election

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A social critic and human rights activist, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, has stated that unless and until we imbibe and exhibits in words, deeds and actions the spirit, letters and principles of June 12 presidential election won by Late Chief MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993, the future just like the present will not be bleak, but attainment of our much cherished nationhood of our dreams, hope and aspirations will be a mirage.

Ezekwueme made the remarks in a public lecture he delivered to Civil Society Organisations to mark the 30th anniversary of June 12th presidential election won by Late Chief MKO Abiola but was annulled by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s administration.

It will be recalled that Nigerians exhibited unprecedented love and patriotism during the election that all sections of the country voted for Abiola in spite of a Moslem -Moslem ticket.

Ezekwueme said: “Let us rediscover ourselves and principles of June 12th by reenacting that spirit of oneness, patriotism, love , unity, peaceful coexistence and cohesion characterized by June 12th by electing the most qualified and credible candidate from southeast, political party, tribe or religion affiliations notwithstanding.

“Pertinently, in view of the fact that they are the only zone yet to produce President Of country since Nigeria Independence except six months military leadership of Gen Aguiyi Ironsi.”

The Lecture with the theme “Southeast Presidency Panacea to Maginalization”, called on political class and Nigerians not to allow this golden opportunity to end cries of maginalization, injustices elude us by collectively and collaboratively works for actualizing Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction in 2023.

He said further: “Nearly thirty years of annulment of June 12th presidential election with Abiola’s Campaigns Slogan, ‘Hope 93 Farewell to Poverty’, one significant question begging for answer is has poverty been eradicated in the country and has our leaders bring hope and adequate security to citizens and the country.

“Just few days to the celebration of 30th anniversary of June 12th election patriotic and law abiding citizens who went to commune with their God at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo Ondo State, were slaughtered like cattle inside the holy Church were they went to worship.

“May God accept their souls in paradise.

“Government and citizens should leave no stone unturned to improve security architecture of the country as well as to ensure apprehension and prosecution of perpetrators of the dastardly, barbaric and insensate killings.

”This is not the Nigeria of our dreams,hopes and aspirations in which Chief MKO Abiola lived, fought and died for.

“The perpetrators should repent in the spirit of June 12 , for according to Suzzena Callings, anyone who kills innocent person will lose everything he is and he has.

”Let us cede the presidency to southeast as the greatest Democracy Day gift for the zone.

”It is note worthy that declaration of June 12th as Democracy Day is the best and greatest democratic dividends Buhari administration bequeathed to Nigerians and posterity as without June 12th, there won’t have been May 29th.

”We wish to reiterates our earlier appeal for immortalization of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola the Amazon of June 12th struggle and Professor Humphrey Nwosu who conducted the most credible, freest and fairest election.“

Ezekwueme, who is also Chairman Civil Liberties Organisation Anambra State, lamented that recently the two major political parties has zoned their presidential candidates to North and West ignoring elusive Nigerian president of Igbo extraction which should have been an opportunity for all major political parties to field candidates from southeast extraction as was done to southwest in 1999.

Then, Chief Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu who won APP presidential primary election stepped down for Chief Olu Falae and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo of PDP and both contested from southwest.

”It is existential reality that the people of southeast and Nigerians expected repeat of such scenario in 2023 presidential election in order to permanently end cries of maginalization, distrust and injustices.

”It is note worthy that southwest has since inception of current democratic dispensation produced President Obasanjo, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, three Speakers — Dimeji Bankole, Patricia Etete, Femi Gbajiamila, and Senate Leader Chief Taslim.

”The North has produced Presidents Umaru Yardua and Buhari, Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Lawan, and Speakers Salisu Buhari, Aminu Masari and Aminu Tambuwal, South South ruled for six years under President Goodluck Jonathan.

”It is of prime importance to note that justice, equity, morality, good conscience and patriotism demands that presidency should be zone to southeast in order to heal permanently the wounds and pains of marginalization as ceding of presidency to southwest in 1999 was antidote to pacified the southwest over the annulment of June 12 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola of Social Democratic Party.

”I commend theLabour Party for electing one of best presidential aspirant from southeast extraction Mr.Peter Obi as their presidential candidate for 2023 election.

”Remember we only live once; if we are right once is enough!” he concluded.

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