In line with the established policy of Governor Rauf Aregbesola led administration of observing June 12 as Democracy day every year, Osun State Government yesterday said it has declared June 12 a public holiday.
The state government in a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo by the Commissioner for Home Affairs Mr. Obawale Adebisi said Aregbesola’s administration has since inception been observing June 12 as Democracy Day in remembrance of the 1993 presidential election, which was adjudged the freest and the fairest in the history of Nigeria.
“Governor Aregbesola had had a strong conviction that “June 12, 1993 was the day democracy was born in Nigeria and has been annually addressing the day as such since 2011.
“Aregbesola’s stance on June 12 as Democracy Day has been justified by President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of the day as Nigeria’s democracy day, against May 29 and honouring the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election a posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
“The state government of Osun commends President Muhammadu Buhari on this righteous step of honoring June 12 and key players of the 1993 presidential election 25 years after.
‘’The Government of the State of Osun has therefore declared Tuesday, June 12, a public holiday,” it said.
Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Adeyemi Oriolowo commended Governor Aregbesola for his doggedness in whatever be beliefs in that has always paid off.
According to him, it was Aregbesola who was resolutely committed to according June 12 democracy day status despite criticism by his adversaries adding that the Federal government has adopted many programmes embarked by Aregbesola such as his O’YES, school feeding among others nationwide.
He also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his courage in according June 12. the status of democracy day as against May 29.
