The Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC New Era has commended President President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as ‘Democracy Day’, but added that the real compensation is for the government of Buhari to compensate victims of June 12.
The Group in a press release signed by its National President, Razak Arogundade and National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Adeshina Akinpelu said that the action of the President though political is something that generality of people are happy about because it’s long overdue.
“ We know that the action of the President is political but we are happy that June 12 can actually become Nigeria’s Democracy Day. May 29, which used to be our Democracy Day is nothing but an aberration. We thank God that President Buhari finally saw the need to make June 12 Democracy Day.”
The group further stated that, the real compensation to right the wrong of June 12 is for President Buhari to put in place compensation for individuals, groups that suffered during the June 12 crisis and also the family of late Chief MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 election.
“We must admit that, it came as a surprise to many of us because there was never a time President Muhammadu Buhari talked about June 12 or even mention the name of MKO Abiola as the symbol of Nigeria’s democracy. But now that the MKO is being honoured, we are happy and we are using this medium to demand for compensation for the victims of June 12.
Speaking further, the group condemned those who are saying that the action of President Buhari is unconstitutional by posthumously honoring Abiola. “Our constitutional lawyers and jurists-especially Mr Belgore should spare us constitutional provision on this matter. If an Hausa-Fulani man is trying to correct the mistake of his kinsmen; we should encourage him to do so rather than condemning him.
