The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rename the Aso Rock Villa after the late MKO Abiola, the widely recognized winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
In a letter and statement signed by CDHR President, Comrade Debo Adeniran, the group argued that although the 1993 election was not fair, it was judged free, credible, and peaceful.
Adeniran questioned the rationale behind declaring May 29 as Democracy Day, stating that the date was chosen by the military under circumstances not transparent to citizens,according to Independent.
The CDHR emphasized that renaming the Aso Rock Villa after Abiola would be a fitting tribute to his legacy and contribution to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The group’s appeal comes as Nigerians celebrate 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, with many still remembering the historic June 12 election.
The CDHR helmsman said: “The military had no good reason why they should choose May 29 as handover day, except if they have some spiritual attachment to that day.
“There is nothing significant, so fantastic or special about that day. If anything, what we have been having since May 29, 1999 was nothing, but a charade in governance.”
Adeniran, who went memory lane, recalled several events from the annulment of the election to the handover to former President Olusegun Obasanjo by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, stressing that the annulment of MKO Abiola’s election was a devastating blow.
He stated: “MKO Abiola enjoyed the support of a wide variety of activists to the extent that people lost their lives, limbs and property.
“A lot of things happened. It is not because of Abiola, it is because activists believe that if they needed to fight Abiola, he had to be fought legitimately. That is because he won an election and he deserved to enjoy the benefit of that victory.
“It is against this backdrop that one would not succumb that June 12 should be made Democracy Day. This is because what happened before, during and after that day was the mockery of democracy and that led to a lot of regrets.
“Also, the aftermath of these is not something anyone can call democratic.”
He added: “Abiola should therefore be proclaimed as our National Hero of Democracy. June 12 should be renamed Bashorun MKO Abiola Day, not Democracy Day.
“We also urge the Federal Government to name the Aso Rock Villa as MKO Abiola Villa.”