The first-ever International June 12 Democracy Day will on Monday hold in the United States (US) to mark the 30th anniversary of the presidential poll won by the late business mogul, Bashorun M K.O Abiola.
It is being organised by the New Americans Magazine and the New American Community Information Centre in collaboration with the National Association of Political Correspondents (NAPOC), which comprises reporters who covered the election annulled by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
A book – “Nigeria’s aborted Third Republic and the June 12 debacle: Reporters’ accounts”, contains details of NAPOC members experience during the convoluted transition programme of Gen. Babangida from 1985 to 1993.
The annulment of the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election threw the country into an impasse which was finally broken in 1999, with the return of democratic rule.
In 2018, the immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 Democracy Day and awarded Abiola the highest national honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is the exclusive preserve of presidents.
In a statement, the New Americans Magazine publisher, Deba Uwadiae, said the event would hold at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Karl Road branch, from 5-7p.m.
The statement reads: “The inaugural International June 12 Nigeria Democracy Day will feature Ohio elected officials sharing about community and opportunity to serve as elected officials in their state, accounts by those who witnessed the June 12, 1993 elections in Nigeria and discussions on responsible and accountable democratic values in Africa.
“We look forward to sharing Nigeria’s experience in the aborted Third Republic with the international community and hope to learn as well on how we can ensure that Nigeria’s Fourth Republic grows to become an acceptable democratic standard worthy of emulation”, Uwadiae said.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
