Adebayo Urges Nigerians to Defend Democracy, Preserve June 12 Legacy

Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Prince Adewole Adebayo, has called on Nigerians to recommit themselves to democratic values, constitutional governance, and credible elections as the nation commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election.

In a Democracy Day message released on Friday, Adebayo described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and a symbol of the power of the people’s collective will.

He recalled that the late Chief MKO Abiola, who contested the 1993 presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party with the campaign slogan “Farewell to Poverty,” won widespread support from Nigerians across ethnic, religious, and regional divides.

According to Adebayo, the election offered Nigeria an opportunity to demonstrate democratic leadership on the African continent at a time when many countries were still under military rule and apartheid remained in place in South Africa.

He argued that the annulment of the election by the military government represented a betrayal of both the Constitution and the wishes of the Nigerian people.

“June 12 reminds us that the people are the true owners of power. What happened in 1993 was not just the annulment of an election; it was a betrayal of the Constitution and the sovereignty of Nigerians,” he stated.

The SDP candidate paid tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola, his wife Kudirat Abiola, and numerous pro-democracy activists who sacrificed their lives, freedom, and wellbeing in the struggle to restore democratic governance in Nigeria.

Adebayo also acknowledged former President Muhammadu Buhari for officially recognising June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Despite the progress made since the return to civilian rule, Adebayo expressed concern that several democratic challenges continue to undermine public confidence in governance.

He criticised practices such as political interference, weak internal party democracy, vote buying, electoral violence, and what he described as a lack of credibility in the electoral process.

According to him, Nigerians can only truly honour the memory of June 12 by building institutions that guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections while protecting the rights of citizens.

He urged political leaders to uphold the provisions of Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, placing the welfare, security, and wellbeing of citizens at the centre of governance.

Adebayo further stressed the need for governments that emerge through the genuine votes of the people and faithfully implement constitutional provisions for national development.

While acknowledging that poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship have weakened public faith in democracy, he maintained that democratic governance remains the best path for Nigeria’s progress.

“I was born and raised under military rule, and I will never wish for that dark era to return. We must confront the problems facing our democracy and ensure that Nigeria reaches the democratic destination our heroes fought for,” he said.

The SDP presidential candidate congratulated Nigerians on this year’s Democracy Day celebration and expressed hope for a more prosperous, democratic, and united nation.