Lagos State Declares Friday Public Holiday

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has confirmed that Friday, June 12 will be observed as a public holiday to celebrate the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections.

Daily trust informs that, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ambode, Mr. Habib Aruna, in a statement issued on Thursday declared the day as a public holiday which it said "marked a watershed in the annals of transparent, free and fair elections in the country."

Ambode claimed June 12, 1993 was the day Nigerians voted without prioritizing ethnic, racial and religious lines adding that the day represented the real democracy day when Nigerians voted without ethnic bais.

May 29 is celebrated as democracy day in Nigeria.

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The governor expressed concerns that despite 22 years after the annulment, Nigerians still make decisions like voting and sharing of wealth along ethnic lines which he blamed on some political gladiators.

Ambode asked Lagosians to use the day to reflect on how Nigerians lost their lives on June 12 to uphold the idea of a free and fair elections hence laying the foundations for democracy.

Presidential elections were held in Nigeria on 12 June 1993, the first since the 1983 military coup. Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party was announced as the winner if the elections defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. 

However, military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the elections which lead to a crisis that ended with Sani Abacha heading a coup later in the year.

Source: Legit.ng