Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday said the philosophy behind June 12 must continually be celebrated by ensuring that elected officers were accountable and every Nigerian treated equally.
Sanwo-Olu said this at the maiden June 12 Democracy Day celebration, with the theme โDemocracy and Restoration of True Federalism in Nigeriaโ, organised by the State Government in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said June 12 would continue to remind Nigerians that free and fair election was possible and that it also showed there was unity in diversity.
He, however, said that if the philosophies behind June 12 would be accomplished, it would require thinking differently.
The Chairman of the occasion, Rtd. Gen. Alani Akinrinade, said the essence of June 12 would be lost, if the people were not made the fulcrum of governance.
He also called for restructuring that would result in having local and state police.
โThe President should not listen to those who have kicked against restructuring, and look into the political, physical and territorial re-alignment.
โThose against it are enemies of peace and they will stop us from joining the rest of the world in the race toward development, human dignity and comfort.
โI notice that you are trying to restructure the police, please do it snappily and do not allow it to turn to another talk shop. Please commence now because four years is enough to achieve it,โ Akinrinade said.
He commended the President for his courage and respect for the voice of the people by posthumously honouring the symbol of June 12, MKO Abiola.
A former governor of Lagos State, Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu, said Nigeria needed to return to how it started, where there was unity in diversity, especially if it wants to secure its future.