The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Bola Tinubu administration of failing to uphold the democratic ideals symbolised by the June 12 struggle.
In a statement issued on Friday to mark Democracy Day, Ini
Ememobong, national publicity secretary of the faction’s interim national
working committee, said the lessons of June 12 remain “painfully unlearnt”
under the current administration.
The faction said the June 12, 1993, presidential election
remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history as it reflected the
collective will of Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides.
“As we commemorate Democracy Day, we remember the June 12, 1993, election (widely regarded as the freest and fairest in our history) and the sacrifices made to defend the people’s mandate,” the statement reads.
“We are reminded of the enthusiasm the citizenry displayed
as they consciously blurred pre-existing fault lines and voted in a way that
reflected a united country in search of progress.”
The party said the anniversary should remind governments of
their responsibility to protect democratic rights, uphold civil liberties, and
guarantee a level playing field for opposition parties.
“Reality check, however, provides damning evidence that
under this APC-led Federal Government, the lessons of June 12 remain painfully
unlearnt,” the statement reads.
The faction cited reports of security operatives dispersing
protesters in Abuja on Democracy Day as evidence of what it described as
shrinking democratic space.
“Today, of all days—a day set aside to honour the blood of
democratic martyrs, peaceful protesters were teargassed and assaulted in
Abuja,” the party said.
“Omoleye Sowore was reportedly injured and hospitalised for
doing nothing more than demanding the immediate release of schoolchildren and
teachers held hostage across different parts of the country.”
The faction accused the administration of prioritising image
management over governance.
“This Tinubu administration unashamedly prioritises optics
over action, propaganda over policy, and dwells in a dangerous utopian
self-delusion,” the party stated.
“Their disposition to governance has reduced this sacred day
to a mere historic remembrance, rather than being a celebration of democratic
consolidation.”
The faction urged Nigerians to remain vigilant as the
country approaches the 2027 general election.
“As the 2027 elections approach, we are hopeful that this
commemoration will serve as a timely reminder to every citizen of the
importance of vigilance and the unrelenting demand for democratic
consolidation,” the party added.
“The sacrifices of the past must not be reduced to
ceremonial memory. They must be active warnings that this country must never
again travel the path of state-engineered anti-democratic actions.”
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