June 12 is watershed of Nigeria’s democratic journey – Afenifere

By Dayo Johnson

Afenifere has described June 12 as the watershed of Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying it proved Nigerians’ resolve to take control of their destiny after 13 years of military rule.

Speaking with newsmen in Akure, Afenifere Secretary General Chief Sola Ebiseni said that while October 1, 1960, marked independence from colonial rule, June 12, 1993, showed citizens’ determination to choose their leaders.

Ebiseni, who participated in the struggle, said he was Chairman of Ilaje/Ese-Odo LGA on the SDP platform and coordinator of Abiola’s “Hope 93” campaign in the area. He was also a member of Afenifere and NADECO in the fight to revalidate Abiola’s mandate after its annulment by the Babangida government.

He noted that many current leaders are products of June 12, including Atiku Abubakar, who contested the SDP primary with Abiola, President Bola Tinubu, who was elected SDP Senator, and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said, was deliberately coined from Abiola’s “Hope 93” mantra.

“The spirit of peaceful, free, fair and credible elections that June 12 represented should guide all participants toward the 2027 elections,” Ebiseni said.

He defined June 12’s social contract as the people’s capacity to choose leaders in exchange for protection of lives, property, and “life more abundant” — what Abiola called “farewell to poverty”.

For the armed forces, Ebiseni said June 12 affirms their duty is security and defence of territorial integrity, while governance remains strictly with civil society.

He added that politicians and the elite must realise the nation is “in a state of war” and must unite for sovereignty.

He commended the speedy consideration of the constitutional amendment bill for state police and urged state assemblies to follow suit.

Above all, Ebiseni said June 12’s core message is restructuring Nigeria’s federation to re-enact true federalism, with devolved powers and governance autonomy for constituent states within a confederation of regions.

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