NADECO to Buhari: Return Nigeria to true federalism as promised in 2015

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The National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) has enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari to restore Nigeria’s federal system of government as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) promised Nigerians in 2015.

The group, in a statement to mark the 27th anniversary of June 12, 1993, presidential election won by the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, noted that “the current centralist and unitary government that has occasioned inequity, unfair play, injustice, discrimination and disrespect for the rule of law within the skewed, warped and lopsided national structure are unsustainable and cannot endure any longer in Nigeria’s heterogeneous society”.

The statement by its founding Secretary-General, Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said the seeming disregard for the electoral promise the APC made to Nigerians to get their votes, constitutes a betrayal of public trust upon which it secured its mandate.

Opadokun said President Buhari surprised his political opponents last year when he honoured the late Abiola with the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), which is reserved only for Heads of State, and declared June 12 as Democracy Day to replace May 29.

He said though NADECO hailed President Buhari for his move, it became clear that Nigerians had been taken for a ride.

Also, in commemoration of this year’s National Democracy Day celebration tomorrow, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka will join youths on a Special Webinar organised by the state government at 12 p.m.

They will be joined by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Chief Dele Alake; publisher of Ovation international magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, and daughter of Bashorun Moshood Abiola, Dr. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, to mentor the youths and explain how they contributed to the democratic system the country is enjoying today.

During the celebration with the theme: June 12: Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future, Asiwaju Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu and the others, including President of Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Ms Yemi Adamolekun and Mr Seun Onigbinde, will address the youngsters on the ideals of democracy and how it was enthroned in the country.