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General News of Monday, 14 June 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

June 12: A look back at events - Amb. Fatuyi speaks

Ambassador Oloye Fatuyi, President of the Yoruba Community in Ghana play videoAmbassador Oloye Fatuyi, President of the Yoruba Community in Ghana

June 12 is widely known as Democracy Day in Nigeria. A day observed to commemorate the democratic election of the late MKO Abiola in 1993. The election has been adjudged the country's freest and fairest election.

In an interview with Ambassador Oloye Fatuyi, President of the Yoruba Community in Ghana, via zoom, he narrated how events unfolded on the said day, June 12.

According to Mr. Fatuyi, the call for the democratic rule was a result of the hardship Nigerians were facing under the military regime.

He said Nigerians went to cast their ballot for the first time in order to have a say in how they were being governed.

Amb. Fatuyi explained that whiles waiting for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to announce the winner of the election, the military annulled the election.

This move by the military brought about an uproar in the country which led to riots and attacks. The military were, however, deployed to calm the angry rioters on the streets.

Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO, contested the election which was canceled by the military on June 12, 1993.

Fatuyi described MKO as a hero who fought for the rights of the people.

In his opinion, June 12 was the best election that ever took place in the history of Nigeria. He called on the government to remember the citizens who voted for them into office by making them feel the positive impact of their works rather than oppress them.