The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) says President Muhammadu Buhari has demonstrated uncommon democratic principles by declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.
The Chairman of CNPP in Edo, Roy Oribhabor, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin.
While noting that the declaration was a welcome development, he urged lovers of Nigeria not to read any political meaning to the declaration.
“For once in Nigeria, a president has shown concern towards the plight of Nigerians who believed in democracy. MKO Abiola was a great man of great intellect and lover of the commoners who struggled politically to rewrite and position Nigeria as better society.
“His effort and ambition were truncated by some undemocratic forces. Today, MKO Abiola will be happy in the grave and we lovers of democracy are very much happy that the long fight for the realisation of June 12 as Democracy Day has been fulfilled.
“President Buhari has written his name in gold by this honour done MKO Abiola and all lovers of democracy,” Oribhabor said.
He claimed that some past presidents had the opportunity to declare June 12 as Democracy Day but did not.
Oribhabor, however, urged the president to sustain the legacies of good governance and programmes and policies that are people-oriented.
The CNPP chairman also urged Buhari to implement welfare policies which MKO Abiola promoted.
He urged the president to further demonstrate his commitment to tackling the killer herdsmen and give hope to Nigerians as preached by MKO Abiola.
It would be recalled that the president had on Wednesday declared June 12 as Democracy Day.