Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on politicians to avoid mixing religion with politics as such may lead to crisis.
Rather, he said, they should preach peace and encourage harmony among people of the different faiths in the country.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, made the call on Monday in Lagos at the 30th years anniversary of the annulment of June 12 presidential election won by Chief Moshood Abiola.
The event with the theme, “Tactics and Strategy for Sustainable Democracy in the Future Years” was organized by the Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movement, AYDM.
Sanwo-Olu said it was unfortunate that politicians had used religion to divide the country rather than build it as one entity.
“We need to continue to tell our youths and those calling for military rule and interim government that democracy is the best form of governance where rule of law and freedom of expression are enjoyed.
“We need to also tell the new Nigerian generation that June 12 is a watershed and a turning point in the political history of Nigeria. It was a day Nigerians set aside their multi-ethnic and religious colouration and united by their common desire to see the end of military dictator voted overwhelmingly for Moshood Olawale Abiola and Babagana Kingibe who won the election.
“In spite the election receiving global acknowledgement as the most credible election in the history of the country, the military junta then scuttled and annulled the election. The annulment had social and economic impact on Nigeria. In the struggle young and old, including university students paid the supreme price for the struggle.”
He further said many people also died on the streets of Lagos and other parts of South West states. It’s important we pay tribute to the person of MKO.
He said: “The Late MKO lovely wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola who was killed and all those Nigerians who sacrifice their lives; we most also commend the students union of that time for their efforts in the struggle and other June 12 activists including those of you sitting in the hall today. You all are commended.
“Other heroes of democracy are Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Pa Enaharo; Chief Ayo Opadokun; Frank Kokori; Late Beko Ransom Kuti; Femi Falana and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. All of the were a thorn in the flesh of the military junta then. It’s important we didn’t forget those who paid the supreme price.
“The unique aspect of this year celebration is that for the first time in history of June 12, we have at the helms of this country the person of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who was among those who struggled for the annulment of the election.
“Nigeria again re-ignited the spirit of June 12 during the 2023 general election. The country will get better if we de-emphasise religion in our politics. The truth of the matter is that election is planned by human beings, counting is done by human being and announcements is also done by human being. Then, which of the electoral law is picked from the Qur’an or Bible? Why putting religious colouration in everything we do in Nigeria.”
Earlier, Chief Ayo Opadokun said he supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy.
He said he would not encourage the president to maintain or resuscitate the abandoned refineries, instead he should invest the money in another functionalprojects that would would benefit the masses.
“To build new refinery now, it is another expensive project. But you can build modular refineries between six months to nine months. We must refine our crude oil for our use. Now, fosil fuel is outdated. What we need now is organic business; we can do it and better than those who are doing it in other parts of the world.”
The president of AYDM, Adewale Adeoye, a pro-democracy activist, said the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election was a consequence of power struggle among the military oligarchy, noting the event suppressed the aspirations of all ethnic groups in the country.
Adeoye, a CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year winner, said young Nigerians must be educated on the tyranny of the military regimes, stressing that the military rule must not be allowed again despite the imperfections of the democratic government in place.
He said: “Democracy is work in progress. Let the echoes of our voices be heard across the country. There must never be military rule in Nigeria again. The worst version of democratic rule is far better than the most benevolent military dictatorship.
“Despite the fault lines, we need to defend the free electoral expressions of Nigerians in the last elections. This we shall uphold with all our strength, our blood, our veins and with all the energy within us. June 12 anniversary is meant to remind us that Nigeria must never be governed again by fascists in military uniform.”
