The Patriots, an eminent group of leaders of thought in collaboration with the June 12 Pro-Democracy Movement of Nigeria, will, on June 12 in Lagos, host a national rally in honour of the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Prof. Anthony Kila, chairman, local organising committee (LOC) of the June 12 Democracy Day celebration 2024, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Mr Kila said that the rally, with the theme “Securing the Future of Nigeria through a Democratic People’s Constitution”, would also call for a people’s constitution in Nigeria.
According to him, the group’s national Democracy Day rendezvous will hold at the Conference & Exhibition Centre of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
He said that the event would be chaired by a former secretary general of the Commonwealth, and the chairman of the Patriots, Emeka Anyaoku.
Mr Kila added that June 12 stakeholders and activists would be addressed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State at the national rally.
According to him, already invited to give goodwill messages at the event are former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, respectively, among others.
He said that Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Prof. Attahiru Jega and Sen. Shehu Sanni were expected to lead the anniversary conversation on “securing the future of Nigeria through a democratic constitution reform process.”
“Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was earlier scheduled to provide the keynote address at the occasion, has now been replaced due to very pressing engagements and his place has been taken by former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and Former Military Governor of Kaduna State and June 12 Activist, Col. Umar Dangiwa.
“They are respectively billed to pioneer broad interventions on the anniversary.
According to him, leading pro-democracy stakeholders and activists invited to x-ray and discuss the keynote submissions at the event are Prof. Pat Utomi, Femi Falana (SAN), Dr Oby Ezekwesili, Prof Jibrin Ibrahim, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, among others.
“A roll call of Honours for nominated Heroes and Heroines of the present democratic rule in Nigeria will also be undertaken by the conveners at the historic event.
“This year’s anniversary will be rounded off with a colourful motorcade procession from the venue of the national democracy rally for a people’s constitution for Nigeria in Alausa.
“It will move to the residence of the martyr of the current Nigeria’s democracy, Chief MKO Abiola, off Toyin St. in Ikeja Lagos.
“Here prayers for the repose of the souls of departed heroes and heroines of democracy and tributes as well as the laying of the annual wreath of honour in their memories will be jointly carried out with members of the MKO Abiola family,” Mr Kila said.
June 12 has been declared by the federal government as the Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election, Mr Abiola.
