The Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Dr Frederick Fasehun, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to proclaim June 12 as “Unity Day”.
He said in a statement in Lagos that the step should be taken to immortalise the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election.
The election, adjudged by many as the fairest and freest election in Nigeria, was annulled by then military administration headed by Gen Ibrahim Babangida.
Fasehun, in the statement to mark the 21st anniversary of the annulled election, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to also name another edifice in memory of Abiola.
“This has become so necessary after students and alumni protested the President’s naming of the University of Lagos after the late politician,” he said.
The party leader said today’s politicians must continue to acknowledge that Abiola’s sacrifice and martyrdom paved the way for the democracy Nigeria currently enjoys.
Fasehun said that other deceased heroes of democracy, including the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti and Mr Bagauda Kaltho, should also be immortalised.
He said that some living heroes should also be recognised to ignite the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in the country. (NAN)
