Yoruba group honours Tinubu, Fayemi for ‘contribution’ to June 12 struggle

June 12, 2023 10:07 pm

Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM) has honoured President Bola Tinubu and Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, for their contributions to the June 12, 1993, presidential election struggle.

The awards ceremony took place in Lagos, on Monday.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, his Ekiti counterpart, Abiodun Oyebanji, and Ayo Opadokun, a chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) were also honoured.

In the posthumous category, the late Alfred Rewane and Beko Ransome-Kuti were awarded.

Tinubu received the award for hard work, diligence and resilience for democracy, while Sanwo-Olu was recognised for governance and sustainable development in Yorubaland.

Oyebanji was awarded for tolerance and grassroots democracy while Fayemi received the honour for integrity, regional integration and sustainable development in the south-west.

Opadokun was given the award for sacrifice for humanity, honour and integrity.

Speaking at the event, Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos deputy governor, said the awards indicated the spirit of solidarity, trust, and grassroots support needed for democracy to thrive.

Hamzat said the June 12 celebration this year was significant because one of the iconic figures of the struggle is currently the president of the country.

On his part, Adewale Adeoye, the guest speaker, said the annulment of the June 12, presidential election was the consequence of the power struggle in Nigeria.

Adeoye said many people were killed and detained during the June 12 struggle.

“We cannot forget the people that were killed, detained or missing,” he said.

“We remember heroes like Pa Alfred Rewane and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who were brutally murdered.

“We also realise that hundreds of poor people were killed on the streets of Lagos and the entire south-west.

“I recall a gory incident on July 07, 1994, when 30 people were killed in cold blood during a rally organised by the Campaign for Democracy and other pro-democracy movements.”