The lectures were organised by the state government and three pro-democracy and human rights groups.
Guest Speaker at the state government-sponsored lecture entitled: “Regionalism and Federalism: Panacea to Nigeria’s Under-development”, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said the truth is that the colonial and successive military rulers violated the cardinal rules meant to ensure a balanced federation.
He said the cardinal principle of federalism is that a federation must be predicated on the result of negotiations and compromises among the federating units.
Opadokun said before the military struck on January 15, 1966, each of the country’s four regions operated its own constitution, adding that each region also had its own diplomatic office in London and other strategic headquarters of the world.
Also at the lecture organised by the state chapter of the Civil Societies Coalition (CISCO), Lagos lawyer Femi Falana declared as illegal, all the Federal Council meetings conducted by past military rulers.
In his lecture entitled: “June 12: Democracy and Development”, the activist-lawyer said only the past and present civilian presidents, including Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo are qualified to sit at the meeting.
He urged Governor Rauf Aregbesola, not to hesitate in probing any past leader in the state, including his immediate predecessor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, known with evidence to have plundered the state.
Aregbesola’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, said the essence of organising the annual public lecture on June 12 is to enlighten the people on their civic duties and rights as well as inform them on the state of the nation.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Environmental Matters, Bola Ilori, said the fight for recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day is not based on narrow interest.
He said: “The late MKO Abiola, though was a Yoruba man, we are supporting him and fighting his cause to let the government know that it is an injustice to deny him his deserved position in the history of this country. He won the 1993 presidential election but was denied the rights to assume office as president.”
Aregbesola, who made brief appearance at the venues of the three lectures, urged eminent Nigerians to join the clarion call on the Federal Government to declare June 12 as MKO Abiola Day in honour of the winner of the 1993 presidential election.
The governor said the late business mogul won a pan-Nigerian mandate in an election acclaimed globally as the freest and fairest but annulled by the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
Aregbesola said his administration has declared the day as MKO Abiola Day, promising that a Bill will soon be sent to the Assembly to back the declaration with the force of law.
The governor said declaring the day as MKO Abiola Day would amount to a nominal gift in honour of a man who offered his money, name and subsequently paid the supreme price so that we could have the democracy now being enjoyed.
According to him, it took America close to 50 years before the black nationalist and human rights crusader, Martin Luther King, was recognised and a day declared in his honour throughout America.
The governor said: “For this country to be on the right track, certain things must be corrected. June 12 is a watershed in the political history of this country.
“That day, all Nigerians spoke with one voice by voting for Abiola as the president of this country. June 12 must be recognised as our Democracy Day and it must be declared Abiola Day all over the country.
“No one can pay the price the late Abiola paid for us to have democracy that we have now. He paid for this democracy with his money, name and life.
“The complete result of that election must be released and Abiola declared as President instead of referring to him as the presumed winner of June 12 presidential election.
“He must be announced as president with his photo hung proudly beside those past leaders of this country. Then, he must be accorded a posthumous presidential honour. Until this is done, the people’s agitation will not stop.
“For us in Osun, June 12 is the fountain head of events that cascaded into democracy for us. We have therefore decided to institutionalise it by declaring it MKO Abiola Day and making it a public holiday every year.
“We are glad that other states in the Southwest have done the same and we urge all to follow suit. It is the least we can do in the memory of the great man and the historic date.”
Aregbesola also said that the state supports outright the renaming of University of Lagos (UNILAG) as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos.
He urged politicians, human rights activists and students not to revolt against this name change as the late Abiola deserved more than that for having stood and died for the cause of the masses.
Aregbesola said: “I call on those who are protesting against the renaming of UNILAG as Moshood Abiola University, Lagos to have a rethink and support the change because of Abiola.
“We are also relieved that official recognition has come the way of the late Abiola from the present administration, who last month renamed the UNILAG after him. We support this gesture and implore all those protesting to see the positive side of the action.
“However, the expected decision from the Federal Government is recognition of the fact that the late Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election. To that end, he should be recognised as a former president and given all paraphernalia of that office, posthumously.
“The President must go further to recognise Abiola’s victory in that election. That is the only way we can sincerely justify our efforts in building a lasting democracy.”
Aregbesola also called for the harmonisation of the June 12 celebration, saying by holding celebration in many venues simultaneously equates to doing a great disservice to the man being celebrated; thereby watering down the significance of the day.
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