Governor Ambode urged Nigerians to remain united, uphold democratic values at a Lagos State symposium with June 12 Coalition of Democratic formations marking the 24th anniversary of the date.
The Governor paid glowing tributes to the late winner of June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, Chief M.K.O Abiola and other martyrs of democracy who laid down their lives in the struggle to entrench good governance in the country, urging Nigerians to continue to remain united and uphold democratic values. The theme of the symposium was “Development Strategy In Lagos: A Blueprint For National Development,” commended the leadership which the Lagos State has produced since 1999 till date.
The June 12 elections were judged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was annulled by the military junta. Ambode said the day and the events that followed would remain evergreen in Nigeria’s political history, being a process through which Abiola and others laid down their lives in a bid to actualize the popular will of the people expressed through the ballot box.
The governor was represented by the State’s Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said the seed of the 4th Republic currently being enjoyed was sown and watered by the blood of men and women who were cut down in their prime, adding that their memories would be honored until the end of time.
He said: “It is an open fact that the successive democratically elected governments in the State since 1999 have been totally committed to democratic principles, rule of law, strengthening of democratic institutions as well as implementation of programmes and policies that would enhance the well-being of all Lagosians, without bias for tribe, religion, political belief or gender.
“To strengthen the hope of the masses in the principles of democracy, our administration embraced ‘all-inclusive policy’ which was geared towards involving all segments of the populace in the governance process; avenues and institutions were created to enable all have a voice in the affairs of the State,” he said.“We must also remain united and hopeful for a more prosperous future for our nation. This way, we will be keeping the spirit of June 12 alive and strong.”
“We must also remain united and hopeful for a more prosperous future for our nation. This way, we will be keeping the spirit of June 12 alive and strong”, he said.
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