Democracy Day: Apatira Celebrates Nigerians, Heroes Of Democracy

Akin Olayemi

Executive chairman of Itire-Ikate Local Council development Area, Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Olarewaju Apatira has congratulated Nigerians on this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

In his anniversary message, Apatira celebrates Nigeria’s heroes of democracy who sacrificed so much to establish democracy and those that paid the ultimate price in the course of the democratic struggle.

He described President Muhammadu Buhari’s recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day as tribute to courage.

The council helmsman, stated that the democracy Nigerians enjoy today was not gotten on a platter of gold, stressing that some Nigerians fought for and paid the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the country from the shackles of the military regime.

He said, “This day is one of extreme significance in our history as a nation as it marks the return of power to the people.

Our uninterrupted democracy since 1999, is proof of its overwhelming popularity and acceptance, as it has allowed the active participation of everyone in the society in choosing their leaders.

In Lagos State, government at all levels will continue to extend the democratic dividend to the greatest majority of our people.

I humbly wish to extend deep gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for actualising the long yearnings of the people for the recognition of the day they freely gave their mandate to a candidate of their choice, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, in an election regarded worldwide as the freest election in Nigeria.

“June 12 is symbolic for our collective resolve to set aside our differences and sentiments and speak as one people to achieve our collective vision even in the face of the stiffest of oppositions. It is a reminder that we have all it takes to defend our democracy.
The heroic demonstration of patriotism by the Nigerian voters on June 12, 1993 will continue to inspire generations of compatriots to promote national unity and defend the country’s democracy.

I call on all Nigerians irrespective of tribe, religion and political interests to support our efforts to deepen democratic values towards ensuring that our people are major stakeholders in the process of governance as we approach the 2023 general elections.

Our people need to understand how important the on-going PVC registration and revalidation exercises are.
Eligible voters should make use of the window created by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure they revalidate and register to obtain their PVCs

The emergence and vast support base of the National Leader and presidential candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reinforced the beliefs and confidence of many Nigerians that a secured and prosperous country is in the offing as he is the most suitable, competent and detribalised statesman for the job.”

He added, “I equally celebrate Nigeria’s heroes of democracy who fought to attain and sustain democracy and those who in the course of the democratic struggles paid the ultimate price.

These Nigerians include acclaimed winner of the June 12 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola and his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and other notable activists in the June 12 struggle had written their names in gold in political history of the country.
I pray the souls of these martyrs to continue to rest in peace.

However, it is worthy of celebrating the gallantry and exceptional contributions of the national leader and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to the democratic struggle both during and in the post-June 12 era.

Indeed Asiwaju Tinubu I’d a blessing to the Yoruba nation, Nigeria and the Africa continent.
And the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, for enacting quality legislations that promote and preserve the country’s democracy.

As a matter of fact, democracy would not have been established without these huge sacrifices.”

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