Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that holding free and fair election is one of the best ways to honour the memory of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Adeleke in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday to commemorate the 2024 June 12 in Osogbo described free and fair election as lifeline of any virile democracy.
According to him, the political class must recommit to strengthen the country’s electoral system to deliver credible elections and ensure that the will of the people is not subverted.
“We cannot at one hand celebrate democracy day and on the other hand undermine the democratic machine. You cannot be applauding the great memories of the late Bashorun Abiola and at the same time be working against free and fair elections.
“I call on leaders locally and nationally to re-dedicate ourselves to democratic ideals. The will of the people freely expressed must be accepted by genuine democrats. Our electoral system must be strengthened to deliver credible elections. Under no circumstances should the will of the people be subverted.
“Free and fair elections are the lifeline of any virile democracy. Politicians must grow to know and accept that power flows from the people.
Rigging elections is an act of war against democracy. Genuine democrats accept electoral verdicts as a mark of respect for the voters, the ultimate holder of sovereignty. That’s what I did in 2018 when I was denied victory.
“If there is any lesson June 12 every year is to teach us, it is that democracy thrives when electoral candidates bow to people’s will. We must stop being autocratic in democratic garb.
“If you are rejected at an election, take it in good faith and prepare for the next round of election. After all, Abraham Lincoln failed several polls before his eventual emergence as American president”, it reads.
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