Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has advocated that June 12 be made the Presidential handover date in Nigeria to effectively institutionalize the significance of June 12 to Nigeria’s democratic odyssey and the ultimate sacrifice of Chief MKO Abiola.
Abe made the call today at the Unity Fountain in Abuja while speaking as a panelist at the 2023 Democracy Day Celebration tagged “Re-enacting the Significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey”, an event put together by the Tinubu Support Group (TSG).
“June 12 is such a significant day in the history of our country. It forces us to remember the struggle and effort of those who refused to capitulate in the face of evil, of those who stood for what was right. And because they stood and faced every opposition and challenge of that era, that is why today we can gather on June 12 to celebrate Nigeria’s democracy”, Senator Abe said.
“While we celebrate, we should not forget that the mantle for the defense of democracy has now been passed unto us and it’s now our own responsibility to defend it at all times”.
Continuing, Abe expressed happiness that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was an integral part of the June 12 movement.
“Thankfully, the President we have today was one of the foundational members of this struggle. He is somebody who believes in democracy. He has sacrificed for democracy in this country. He is the greatest political connector in the history of Nigeria. He is one man that has been able to bring people of all persuasions, people of all thinking, people of all spheres together”.
Making a strong case for June 12 to be made the transition day in Nigeria, Senator Abe stated, “I want to say that the issue of June 12 has not been finally settled. Why did we not handover our government on June 12, why was it May 29? What is the significance of May 29 to the people of Nigeria? Everybody expected that the handover of power should have been done on June 12 to celebrate that election that brought the entire Nigerians together, but because the powers that be at that time or the powers that were coming at that time did not want Nigerians to remember June 12, they chose May 29”.
“I want to thank former President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing back the issue of June 12. At that time people were accusing the present President that he was the one manipulating the government at that time to recognize June 12 for political purposes. I want to say I was there, I was happy and I am still happy”.
“The work is still not fully done. If it takes a constitutional amendment, we should amend our constitution to ensure that the handover of power is done on Democracy Day, June 12, it will not kill us. It’s something that we still need to do”.
Quite significantly, Distinguished Senator Jonathan Zwingina who served as the Director-General of the Abiola/Kingibe Campaign Organization of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was also a panelist at the event. Abe said his presence at the event was almost like Abiola was physically present.
Senator Abe was accompanied to the event by Hon Engr Preye Aganaba, Chairman of Asiwaju’s Independent Campaign Council (ICC) in Bayelsa State; Chief Prince Biira, President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP); Comrade Barinuazor Emmanuel, President of National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) among others.
Signed:
Senator Magnus Abe Media Team
June 12th, 2023
SENATOR ABE ADVOCATES JUNE 12 AS PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION DAY
Distinguished Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has advocated that June 12 be made the Presidential handover date in Nigeria to effectively institutionalize the significance of June 12 to Nigeria’s democratic odyssey and the ultimate sacrifice of Chief MKO Abiola.
Abe made the call today at the Unity Fountain in Abuja while speaking as a panelist at the 2023 Democracy Day Celebration tagged “Re-enacting the Significance of June 12 in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey”, an event put together by the Tinubu Support Group (TSG).
“June 12 is such a significant day in the history of our country. It forces us to remember the struggle and effort of those who refused to capitulate in the face of evil, of those who stood for what was right. And because they stood and faced every opposition and challenge of that era, that is why today we can gather on June 12 to celebrate Nigeria’s democracy”, Senator Abe said.
“While we celebrate, we should not forget that the mantle for the defense of democracy has now been passed unto us and it’s now our own responsibility to defend it at all times”.
Continuing, Abe expressed happiness that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was an integral part of the June 12 movement.
“Thankfully, the President we have today was one of the foundational members of this struggle. He is somebody who believes in democracy. He has sacrificed for democracy in this country. He is the greatest political connector in the history of Nigeria. He is one man that has been able to bring people of all persuasions, people of all thinking, people of all spheres together”.
Making a strong case for June 12 to be made the transition day in Nigeria, Senator Abe stated, “I want to say that the issue of June 12 has not been finally settled. Why did we not handover our government on June 12, why was it May 29? What is the significance of May 29 to the people of Nigeria? Everybody expected that the handover of power should have been done on June 12 to celebrate that election that brought the entire Nigerians together, but because the powers that be at that time or the powers that were coming at that time did not want Nigerians to remember June 12, they chose May 29”.
“I want to thank former President Muhammadu Buhari for bringing back the issue of June 12. At that time people were accusing the present President that he was the one manipulating the government at that time to recognize June 12 for political purposes. I want to say I was there, I was happy and I am still happy”.
“The work is still not fully done. If it takes a constitutional amendment, we should amend our constitution to ensure that the handover of power is done on Democracy Day, June 12, it will not kill us. It’s something that we still need to do”.
Quite significantly, Distinguished Senator Jonathan Zwingina who served as the Director-General of the Abiola/Kingibe Campaign Organization of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was also a panelist at the event. Abe said his presence at the event was almost like Abiola was physically present.
Senator Abe was accompanied to the event by Hon Engr Preye Aganaba, Chairman of Asiwaju’s Independent Campaign Council (ICC) in Bayelsa State; Chief Prince Biira, President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP); Comrade Barinuazor Emmanuel, President of National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) among others.
Signed:
Senator Magnus Abe Media Team
June 12th, 2023
