The Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Habib Aruna, on Thursday, stated that the date marked a turning point that shaped the eventual emergence of transparent, free and fair elections in the country.
According to Ambode, June 12, 1993 was the day Nigerians voted in one voice without ethnic, racial and religious bias, saying it represented the real democracy day when Nigerians said no to voting along ethnic lines.
The Governor however stated that it was saddening that the nation was still grappling with some of the vices which the June 12, 1993 elections sought to confine to the dustbin of history through undue clinging to ethnic cleavages by some political gladiators.
He urged Lagos residents to spend the day in sober reflection and in remembrance of the martyrs of the June 12 elections struggle for laying the foundation of the democracy which the nation is now enjoying.
In the same vein, the states of Oyo, Osun and Ogun, have declared June 12 a work free day.
In a statement in Ibadan, Festus Adedayo, the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Media, said the state’s decision to mark the 20th anniversary of the infamous polls was in a bid to recognise the martyrdom of the late Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the election.
It said Mr. Abiola ought to be honoured for laying down his life for Nigerians to enjoy democratic governance.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Information in Osun, Sunday Akere, said in a statement in Osogbo that the holiday was to recognise when an election adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria was annulled.
Mr. Akere said that June 12 would continue to stand for democracy and good government and as such nothing was too much to honour the day.
Ogun State had on Sunday also declared June 12 a public holiday.
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