Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2027 election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has urged Nigerians to uphold democratic principles and ensure that the sacrifices made by the heroes of the June 12 struggle are not wasted.
In a Democracy Day statement released in Abuja on Friday, Adebayo described the June 12, 1993 presidential election as a landmark event in Nigeria’s political history and a symbol of the people’s determination to defend democracy against military rule.
He noted that the election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history, was won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, who contested on the platform of the SDP with the campaign slogan, “Farewell to Poverty.”
According to Adebayo, the annulment of the election by the military government represented not only the denial of an electoral mandate but also a betrayal of the Nigerian Constitution and the sovereign will of the people.
“June 12 reminds us that power ultimately belongs to the people. The annulment of that election was a violation of both the Constitution and the democratic choice of Nigerians,” he said.
The SDP flagbearer paid tribute to MKO Abiola, his wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, and countless pro-democracy activists who endured imprisonment, persecution and even death during the struggle to restore civilian rule. He also acknowledged former President Muhammadu Buhari for officially recognising June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
While Nigeria has enjoyed civilian governance since 1999, Adebayo expressed concern that many of the democratic shortcomings that existed before June 12 remain unresolved. He stressed that celebrating the date should go beyond ceremonies and public holidays, insisting that its true significance lies in strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the integrity of elections.
As the country prepares for another general election, he called on Nigerians to play active roles in ensuring credible leadership and genuine democracy, saying the labour of the nation’s democratic heroes must not be in vain.
Adebayo further advocated for a government committed to implementing the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter Two of the Constitution, with citizens’ welfare and security as top priorities.
He added that Nigeria needs leaders who emerge through the genuine mandate of the people and are committed to using the nation’s resources for the benefit of all citizens.
Recalling his upbringing under military rule, Adebayo said he never wished to see the country return to that era, urging Nigerians to confront the challenges facing the nation’s democracy and work toward achieving the vision for which the June 12 heroes fought.