News
June 12: Fayose, Three Govs Declare Today Public Holiday …As Atiku Urges FG To Immortalise Abiola Now
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared today a public holiday in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Fayose joined the governors of Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States, who had earlier declared today a public holiday in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the day.
In a statement, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Fayose, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he took the decision to join his other colleagues in the South-West in the spirit of the unity of the region.
He said, “Yoruba nation’s interest is beyond personal interest of anyone. For us to forge ahead as a people, we must speak with one voice.
“In the light of this, I declare Monday a public holiday to further strengthen our collective belief, hope and aspirations. This, I have done in the spirit of Yoruba nation and South-West integration.”
It would be recalled that the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola won the election.
The election, which has been adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was nullified by a military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd).
Abiola was later incarcerated by the military junta of the late Gen Sani Abacha.
The day is celebrated in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola, who died in a mysterious circumstance while in incarceration a few days after the death of Abacha.
In line with the custom of the Ogun State Government for the past six years, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, last Friday, declared today, June 12, 2017, as work free.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa.
The statement read, “This year’s celebration will feature the annual ‘Democracy Walk,’ which will be led by the governor, starting from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7 am.
“The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead, at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.
“Later in the day, an inspirational stage play, ‘Oju Kelekun’ (farewell to reproach), directed by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre, between 3:45 pm and 6:00 pm.”
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, also declared Monday, June 12, work free for its civil servants to mark the 1993 presidential election.
The governor announced this in a statement issued, last Friday by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.
The statement said, “In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as ‘Democracy Day,’ the state government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12, as a public holiday.”
Similarly, the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, asked its workers not to go to work today, June 12, 2017, to honour the widely acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, late Abiola.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, last Friday, Akeredolu said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice culminated in the hurried departure of the military from the political scene in 1999.
As part of programmes lined up to celebrate the day, the state government has organised a lecture, with the theme: “June 12: A Celebration Of Courage And Resilience.”
Akeredolu urged politicians across the country to always demonstrate their unquenchable love for the country.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola, saying the events of that day cannot just be wished away.
“June 12 and the events that brought it are part of our country’s history and cannot be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that Election Day in 1993″, Abubakar said.
In a statement issued by his Media Office, yesterday, in Abuja, the Wazirin Adamawa described “late MKO Abiola, the leading personality of the June 12 struggle as a national ‘Hero and Patriot’ deserving of accolades and honour by Nigerians.
He calls on the Federal Government to pay the necessary tribute to the late Abiola of blessed memory by naming a befitting national institution after him”.
According to him, the events of June 12, 1993, are a watershed in the history of the nation, and therefore, it behoves all Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the nation never again repeats that painful experience.
“Atiku Abubakar recalls that June 12 traumatized Nigerians and made some people to question the unity and oneness of the country and whether true democracy can take root in the country.
“The Waziri commends Nigerians for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by June 12, and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years.
“He says that it is a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today, democracy is flourishing in the country adding that restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.
“Restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the Federation based on the principle of comparative advantage”, he quoted Atiku as saying.
A Coalition of civil society organisations has urged the Federal Government to take proactive steps towards addressing the persistent gas eruptions in Bille, Rivers.
The coalition, made up of the People’s Assembly and Bille Working Group, made the call in an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, and read to journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Reading the letter, the coalition’s convener, Dr Isaac Osuoka, said that the persistent gas eruption in Bille had led to serious environmental and public health challenges.
Osuoka, also the Executive Director, Social Action, urged Tinubu to establish a presidential task force to investigate and contain the gas leak in Bille.
He also called for the immediate relocation of residents to safe shelters, provision of clean water, food and healthcare services.
Dr Emem Okon, the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, stated that gas had been bubbling from the ground, creeks, boreholes and hand-dug wells in the community since October 2025.
Okon said that the gas had triggered several fires and explosions, and that residents of the community had reported respiratory problems, vomiting and other illnesses associated with exposure to the emissions.
According to her, preliminary investigations by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have yet to identify the source of the gas.
Mr Kentebe Ebiaridor, the Coordinator, Oilwatch International, called for the publication of results from preliminary soil and water tests conducted in Bille for the residents to know the nature and extent of the contamination.
Ebiaridor urged the Federal Government to deploy medical teams to screen and treat affected residents, and immediately commence an independent study on the health impacts of the leak.
He further called for the suspension of oil and gas operations around OML 18 and 24 until the source of the gas leak was identified and the affected areas declared safe.
Ebiaridor urged the government to hold current and former operators of the oil leases accountable for environmental damage on the community.
Another speaker, Dr Bieye Briggs, urged the National Assembly to fast-track the NOSDRA Amendment Bill, 2025 to provide the agency with statutory funding and stronger enforcement powers.
Briggs urged the Federal Government to activate the regional Spill Command Centre, and make the Upstream Remediation Fund accessible for the Bille crisis and other affected communities in the Niger Delta.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has banned drone operations and fireworks in Uyo and announced temporary traffic restrictions ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the State today.
The state Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, announced the measures yesterday while briefing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
He said the restrictions were part of security arrangements to maintain public order, protect strategic locations and ensure the smooth movement of the President’s convoy during his engagements.
“There will be total restriction on the operation and flying of drones within Uyo metropolis throughout the period of the visit. Members of the public, drone operators and service providers are advised to strictly comply with the directive,” he said.
The police commissioner also announced a ban on fireworks, knockouts and other explosive sound-producing devices within the state capital during the visit.
He said the measure would prevent panic and allow security personnel to respond effectively to genuine security threats.
The command also announced temporary restrictions on public access to designated routes and locations in Uyo to facilitate the movement of the presidential convoy.
The affected areas are Airport Road, Shelter Afrique Junction, Oron Road, Nung Oku Junction, Mbierebe Junction and Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
“Motorists are urged to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the corridors.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the routes during the restriction and use alternative routes,” Azare said.
He also urged residents to plan their journeys, exercise patience and cooperate with traffic and security personnel deployed along the affected corridors.
The commissioner said the command, working with other security agencies, had put in place security arrangements to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free visit.
He appealed to residents to understand that the temporary restrictions were necessary security measures and not intended to cause hardship.
Azare urged members of the public to remain law-abiding, avoid restricted areas and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station or through police emergency channels.
Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom is a working visit during which he is expected to inaugurate major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration under its ARISE Agenda. The projects cut across aviation, road infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, land administration and security.
Among the projects scheduled for inauguration are the international terminal building and airport hospital at Victor Attah International Airport, Aviation Village, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road, Ring Road 3, the Command and Control Centre and the AkwaGIS building.
The state government had earlier announced plans for the President to inaugurate projects as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary in September.
The airport projects are particularly significant to the state’s ambition to expand aviation, tourism and investment.
The international terminal is expected to strengthen the airport’s capacity to handle international operations, while the Aviation Village is intended to provide accommodation for aviation workers. The airport hospital is also among the facilities lined up for inauguration.
The road projects are also expected to improve connectivity. The 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road links communities in the two local government areas, while Ring Road 3 is designed to improve movement within Uyo and ease pressure on existing roads. The Command and Control Centre, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen security surveillance and coordination in the State.
The Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has floated a culture content platform in collaboration with digital television group, Multichoice.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Freddy Ndigbara, disclosed this after a meeting with MultiChoice Head of Content Acquisition, Don Dotun Ojon, in Port Harcourt.
He assured that content entrepreneurs and film makers would enjoy the platform by promoting culture and other contents to sell the states tourism potentials.
He said MultiChoice M-net was now open to increase its patronage for content shots on locations in Rivers State, describing the State as one that has numerous potentials for film tourism.
“We were privileged to have Don Ojon with us at the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) at the weekend in Bonny and he saw, first hand, the numerous sites and opportunities that are open to creatives in the State. After that, we felt it was important to deepen the conversation and he obliged. This is a cheering news for the sector in the State,” he said.
Ndigbara stated that “Rivers State has many more untold stories to tell, many more contents to reel out and the assurances from the M-net Acquisition Manager is an indication that the industry in the state will soon enjoy a new lease of life”.
The Permanent Secretary thanked Ojon for the visit and assured that creatives in the State would grap this opportunity and show the world that Rivers State is a major hub for film tourism in Nigeria.
On his part, Ojon said the visit was to discuss on ways of promoting tourism in the State using creatives and film.
Ojon said although the company has recently been acquired by canal+ France and is undergoing restructuring, he would promote the chances of Rivers State to host the MultiChoice talent factory in the State.
With Asaba, capital of Delta State, being saturated, Ojon said the next port is Rivers State, which he said is capable of building fresh crop of creatives, new locations, new story lines and concepts.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from stakeholders in the State.
Kevin Nengia
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