The Forum of Social Democratic Party Chairmen on Wednesday charged a former Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, SDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Adewole Adebayo and other chieftains to draw inspiration from the integrity and people-oriented values of the departed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
The appeal, which was made in a statement jointly signed by all the 36 state chairmen, including the Federal Capital Territory, was issued by the Forum Chairman, Femi Olaniyi, in Abuja to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
Abiola won the 1993 controversial election under the SDP platform but was denied his mandate by the military regime.
But Olaniyi believed that his legacy, enshrined in Nigeria’s history and now recognised annually on June 12, continues to shape the nation’s political discourse and democratic aspirations.
He said, “Today, I use this opportunity to call on all SDP leaders across the nation to emulate MKO’s legacy — to lead with sincerity, unity, humility, and people-centred governance.
“Let us constructively position the party for national progress and relate with one another in love and mutual respect. Nothing can be more important to us, as members of this noble party and citizens of this great country, than adopting MKO’s mentality — to build a Nigeria for Nigerians.”
The state chairmen congratulated all SDP faithful across Nigeria on the significance of June 12, urging them to see the day not merely as a public holiday, but as a reminder of the sacrifice made by Abiola and the vision he held for a united, democratic Nigeria.
“MKO Abiola was not just a politician; he was a faithful, resilient, and passionate leader whose sincerity towards building a better Nigeria was unmatched.
“His 1993 campaign was the most collectively supported in our history, driven by his integrity, clear vision, and people-first ideology. The election that produced him as President was a turning point in our national consciousness”, he added.
They also described Abiola as the father of modern Nigerian democracy; a party man and a visionary whose legacy continues to inspire hope for a new Nigeria.
“As we mark Democracy Day, let us do so with a renewed resolve to continue the journey MKO Abiola began — to deliver a Nigeria where every citizen has a voice, and where leadership is a platform for service, not personal gain,” the statement concluded.
The Punch
