Democracy Day: FG Declares June 12 Public Holiday

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, on behalf of the Federal Government, has declared Friday, June 12 as public holiday to mark Democracy Day. 

This was contained in a statement signed by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Georgina Ehuriah. 

She quoted Aregbesola as calling on all Nigerians to continue to cherish the selfless efforts made to attain democracy.

Aregbesola commended the heroes of democracy for their dogged determination and sacrifice which eventually birthed democratic governance in Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to collaborate with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to ensure the realisation of the democratic ideals which these patriots fought for, even at the cost of their lives.

The 1993 Nigerian presidential election held on 12 June 1993  was annulled by the then military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) after Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) defeated Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention. 

The annulment of the election adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, led to protests and political unrest, including the resignation of IBB.