President Bola Tinubu today inspected a military parade mounted by the Brigade of Guards to commemorate Democracy Day.
The President also received a Presidential salute and 3 hearty cheers after a spectacular display of cultural dance performance by the Guards Brigade cultural troupe.
The event, which took place at the foyer of the Presidential Villa, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, some former and present Governors, as well as the two outgoing principals of the National Assembly.
Speaking with newsmen on the significance of the day, the running mate to the supposed winner of the 1993 Presidential election, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, described the day as nostalgic, saying that its celebration brings back the sad memory of the annulment of the election.
“But I believe in looking forward, and the President, in his Democracy Day address, has set out the markers as to where we were coming from, and he has set up beacons as to the direction to make our country great and to defend democracy at all times, and I believe that his speech was very inspiring, and I think all right-thinking men and women of this country should very carefully go through and being inspired by it and be guided by it”, he added.
Ambassador Kingibe said although the presumed winner of the 1993 Presidential Election, Alhaji Moshood Abiola, could not be brought back to life, Nigerians should be inspired by his steadfast commitment and his willingness to sacrifice his life for the country.
Also recognizing the importance of the Democracy Day celebration, a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, said the event was a sober reflection of the struggles that eventually paid off.
“When you look at the event that happened 30 years that took the life of MKO Abiola, may his soul rest in person, and then we are celebrating this day. It’s very humbling, in a way, and then for us to be alive to see this happening and almost 7 times of change of baton in democracy, it shows that Nigeria is moving forward in freedom, and I believe, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also in prosperity”, the former said.
Similarly, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State urged politicians to eschew violence and take the path of honor while seeking redress.
Bello Wakili
