June 12: INEC, APC Dishonored Abiola’s Memory, Raped Democracy, Says PDP

As Nigerians commemorate Democracy Day, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has humiliated the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).The party claimed that the APC and INEC violated democratic principles and dishonored the memory of Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.In remembrance of the late Chief Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Democracy Day is observed every year on June 12.In a statement issued by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s spokesman, the people of Nigeria were urged to emphasize the need for the establishment of democratic principles throughout the nation on June 12.The party described as distasteful, offensive and unacceptable for the nation to observe the Democracy Day under a system that violated, desecrated and despoiled all the tenets of democracy as witnessed in brazen rigging that characterized the 2023 general elections.The statement reads: “The barefaced manipulations of the 2023 general elections by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), amounts to an unpardonable assault and rape of democracy and disregard for the Will of the people; the very ills which Chief MKO Abiola fought and died for.”June 12 epitomizes the struggle by Nigerians against corrupt, manipulative and anti-democratic system; against injustice, impunity and electoral fraud which INEC, under Prof. Mahmood Yakubu now represents.”It is indeed heartrending that all the steady progress and gains made by successive PDP administrations in reforming our electoral system have been completely wiped off by INEC in the conduct of the 2023 general elections,” PDP said.The party however urged Nigerians not to despair but remain optimistic and law-abiding in their hope for a better nation which they earnestly yearn for.The PDP, however, charged all the leaders at all level across the country to be guided by the essence of June 12 by always adhering to the principles of democracy in the overall interest of the Nigerians people.