President Bola Tinubu has saluted the heroes of democracy for their sacrifices toward enshrining democratic governance in the country.
The President, in his second Democracy Day speech on Wednesday hailed some pro-democracy stalwarts dead or alive – recognizing their contributions to the growth of democracy.
He particularly mentioned the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, who he described as the most significant symbol of the country’s democratic struggle, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Pa Alfred Rewane, among others who sacrificed their lives.
The President also recognised the sacrifices of the press and Nigerian journalists who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists
He warned against anti-democratic forces who he accused of trying to exploit current challenges to undermine democracy to desist from such acts
Following its return to democracy from many years of military rule on the 29th of May, 1999, Nigeria celebrated opted to mark Democracy Day on the date until in 2018 when President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12 in honour of Late Chief M.K.O Abiola