The Federal Government says Nigeria has much to celebrate with 23 years of uninterrupted democracy and its citizens reaping dividends from civilian rule.
Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this Thursday in Abuja at a press conference to announce the activities scheduled to mark this year’s Democracy Day.
Responding to questions from journalists, the minister recalled that between 1966 and 1999, the country had only six years of democratic rule.
He said that 1993 was a milestone in the country’s history when the freest and fairest election was held, which was later annulled on June 12 of the same year by the military.
The minister also said that after the annulment of the 1993 elections, which brought Nigeria to the brink, the country was also ruled by the military for another six years.
He said that with the return to democracy in 1999 the country has not witnessed any military incursion.
“Between 1999 and 2008 we celebrated Democracy Day on May 29 and that was the day the military handed over power after many disturbances.
“No government before now had the courage to declare June 12 as Democracy Day. It took the courage of President Mohammadu Buhari to do it.
“We are also celebrating the day to pay tribute to MKO Abiola, the winner of the 1993 presidential election, and also other Nigerians who lost their lives during the fighting,” he said.
Earlier, the minister announced that the press conference kicked off activities for the 2022 Democracy Day celebration, adding that it would be followed by a public conference; and Jumat on Friday at the National Mosque, Abuja.
He said that on Sunday, June 12, there would be a presidential broadcast in the morning and a service at the National Christian Center at 3:00 p.m.
Mohammed said on Monday that there would be a Ceremonial Parade in Eagle Square starting at 9 a.m.
He said attendance at all events is strictly by invitation and in line with Covid-19 protocol.
It will be recalled that President Buhari in June 2018 ordered that Nigeria’s Democracy Day, celebrated every May 29, be changed to June 12 to honor Abiola, winner of the 1993 presidential election.
In compliance with presidential directive, this year’s celebration will mark the fourth time the Day will be marked on June 12.