Since it crept into the calendar of national holidays, Southwest states, under the progressive umbrella, especially Lagos, have never reckoned with May 29 as the Democracy Day.
The ‘real’ Democracy Day is June 12, 1993, when Nigerians shoved aside religion and ethnicity to vote a candidate of their choice, Chief Moshood Abiola as president.
It was learnt that leaders of thought advised then president-elect Olusegun Obasanjo to organise a nationwide thanksgiving in appreciation of the enthronement of democracy. But, in his inaugural speech, Obasanjo proclaimed May 29 as Democracy Day.
However, save for the holiday that was declared, the first anniversary of Democracy Day was without any activity in the Centre of Excellence. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who held forte as governor, proclaimed from the outset June 12 as Democracy Day. Read more