Lagos, Oyo n Ogun Declares June 12 Bank Holiday

Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr Olalekan Alli in a statement made available to journalists on Friday said Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved Monday as work-free day to commemorate the annulment of the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections, generally believed to have been won by late Chief MKO Abiola. 

Oyo and Ogun State Governments have declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work-free day in the state.

He said the government will use the anniversary to honour the martyrdom of Chief Abiola, who laid down his life for Nigerians to enjoy the democratic dividends of today.

Similarly, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work-free day.

A statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the annual holiday is in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which marked a unique watershed in Nigeria’s democracy.

The statement reads in part, “This year’s celebration will feature the annual ‘Democracy Walk’, which will be led by the governor, starting from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7am.

“The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.

Lagos State has declared tomorrow, June 12, a public holiday to commemorate the 24th anniversary of June 12, 1993, presidential election, the result of which was later annulled. 

The presidential election, was believed to have been won by Chief M. K. O. Abiola.

In as statement signed by said the Secretary to the State Government Tunji Bello, Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the time has come for Nigerians to go beyond the commemoration and entrench a viable democracy as a way to immortalise the late presumed winner of June 12, 1993, Presidential election, Chief M.K.O Abiola through the practice of true federalism and conduct of credible and fair elections.