Press Releases

2011 General Elections: Fashola Calls For National Debate

Aug 24, 2010 - As the nation prepares for the 2011 General Elections to enthrone the Fifth Republic, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), has advocated for national debates among people aspiring to lead at all levels of the society to ensure the emergence of the right calibre of leadership.

Governor Fashola, who spoke Tuesday as Chief Host at the Muson Centre venue of the public presentation of "Diary of a Debacle: Tracking Nigeria's Failed Democratic Transition (1989-1994)", a book written by Dr. Olatunji Dare, said such a culture of debates was necessary to identify those to be entrusted with the welfare of the people of Nigeria.

"What is important now is a public debate. We need a public debate at all levels if we must identify those who we will entrust with the leadership of this country; those who are best prepared to provide us with water supply, those who are best prepared to provide us with electricity and other basic needs", the Governor said.

According to Governor Fashola, "This debate must start in our universities and in gatherings such as this. We must know which of the candidates is best prepared to meet our needs. These are the things we must do to enthrone democracy and good governance in our land".

Noting that Democracy, as a type of government, simply concerns itself with the right of the people to choose those they wish to govern them, Governor Fashola declared, "Democracy does not concern itself with good or bad governance. It does not guarantee whether or not those elected will perform well of deliver good and quality leadership".

The Governor paid glowing tribute to late business mogul and the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, for the supreme prize he paid for the enthronement of democracy in the country pointing out that but for his sacrifice, there would have been no democracy as is being enjoyed in the country today.

"When I reflect on the June 12, 1993 event, I always ask myself would I have become Governor if Chief Abiola had not sacrificed his life", he said adding that Nigerians owe a wealth of gratitude to the late Chief Abiola and others like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who, according to him, led the foundation of the democracy which all Nigerians are enjoying today.

Recalling the many battles fought on the grounds of Lagos during which many lost their lives while others were forced to flee the country to continue the fight from abroad , Governor Fashola also paid tribute to his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others "who laid the foundation of the democracy we are enjoying today".

Governor Fashola commended the author of the book, Dr. Dare, for choosing Chief Abiola's birthday anniversary to present his book describing it as a very significant recognition and honour to the man who laid down his life in order that his country may enjoy freedom.

In his remarks, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, debunked the notion that the annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election was a conspiracy by the Northern part of the country pointing out that Chief Abiola won majority votes in the North.

"It is a lie that the North were behind the annulment of June 12. Chief Abiola won overwhelmingly all over the country. Even in my village in Yola, he won overwhelmingly", Ribadu said pointing out that the late business mogul reached out in generosity to all corners of the country.

Describing it as a political corruption, Ribadu said, "The annulment is the handiwork of a clique of people who benefited and still benefit from the failed Nigeria. Most importantly, the annulment of the June 12 Presidential Election put our country on a tenterhook. Many people died and we almost lost Nigeria".

Calling on the Federal Government to do something in recognition of Chief Abiola, Ribadu declared, "Abiola remains a national hero who paid the greatest price that we are all enjoying today. He created wealth and he used it generously. He won the election truly and fairly. Everyday reminds us of the huge debt that we owe to this great man".

"We are yet again going to face another election. Nigeria is in dire need of a free and fair election. It is possible to build a Nigeria where we can live and grow in fairness and justice", Ribadu said.

Also in his goodwill message, Professor Niyi Osundare commended the author for the timing of the public presentation adding, "The presentation could not have come at a better time than the anniversary of Chief M.K.O. Abiola".

Professor Osundare was, however, worried that 19 years after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, "Nigeria is still dangling on the precipice of political uncertainty", expressing concern that the man who was the principal actor in the annulment saga was again bracing up to ask Nigerians to allow him rule the country again.

Chairman of the occasion, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retired), in his opening remarks did a recap of the book adding that Nigeria needs to go back to its roots if she must regain her integrity as a nation.

According to the one time Military Governor of Lagos State, in the last 33 years, Nigeria has gone through so many challenges some of which were quite excruciating, but she has survived, warning, however that the unity of the nation should not be taken for granted.

Also present at the occasion were the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bisi Akande, Lagos State Chairman of the party, Otunba Henry Ajomale, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Right Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, widow of the late Chief Abiola, Dr. Doyin Abiola, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Action Congress of Nigeria Governorship candidates for Ekiti and Osun States in the 2007 governorship election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola respectively, members of the academia, Traditional Rulers, captains of industries and top government functionaries.