The presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to credible elections, constitutional governance, and public welfare, warning that the country must not allow the monumental sacrifices of Chief MKO Abiola and other democratic icons to go to waste.
In a statement commemorating the 33rd anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, Adebayo described the date as a “sacred reminder of the power of the people’s will and the heavy price paid by patriots in the struggle for democratic rule.”
Reflecting on the historical weight of the day, the SDP flag-bearer recalled that Abiola contested the 1993 election under the SDP banner with a powerful message of “Farewell to Poverty,” uniting millions of Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.
He noted that the election had presented a glorious opportunity for Nigeria to lead Africa and the global Black community in democratic renewal.
However, Adebayo strongly condemned the subsequent annulment of the poll by the military regime, describing it as an unforgivable breach of the nation’s foundational laws.
“June 12 reminds us that the people are the true owners of power. What happened in 1993 was not just the annulment of an election; it was a betrayal of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians,” Adebayo stated, adding that no authority can truly erase the true will of the populace.
While paying tribute to Abiola, his wife Kudirat, and thousands of others who lost their lives and freedom during the struggle, Adebayo acknowledged former President Muhammadu Buhari for officially designating June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Despite the progress made in transitioning to civilian rule, the politician expressed deep worry that more than three decades after the historic election, Nigeria is still grappling with fundamental democratic anomalies.
He decried persistent undemocratic practices plaguing the nation’s political landscape, pointing fingers at undue pressure on political parties, the suppression of civil society, political interference by law enforcement agencies, weak internal party democracy, vote buying, and electoral violence.
Adebayo cautioned that true honor cannot be given to the martyrs of democracy through cosmetic celebrations or government declarations alone.
“We cannot honour June 12 by merely observing a public holiday,” he argued. “We must build a political system where votes count, institutions are independent, citizens are protected, and leaders are chosen through free, fair, and credible elections.”
With future elections on the horizon, the SDP candidate reminded citizens of their civic duties to uphold the integrity of the ballot box.
“As we approach another general election, every Nigerian has a role to play in enthroning true democracy. June 12 must not be in vain. The labour of our heroes past must not be allowed to go to waste,” he stressed.
Adebayo further urged the establishment of a people-centered government that faithfully upholds Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates that the welfare, security, and well-being of citizens must remain the core focus of state policy.
Acknowledging that biting poverty and systemic insecurity have severely dented public confidence in democratic institutions, he nevertheless rejected any yearning for alternative systems of government, drawing from his personal experience.
“I was born and raised under military rule, and I will never wish for that dark era to return. We must confront the problems facing our democracy and ensure that Nigeria reaches the democratic destination our heroes fought for,” Adebayo concluded, while congratulating Nigerians on the milestone and praying for the nation’s progress.
