A former National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Lai Olurode; the Federal Commissioner representing Osun State in the National Population Commission, Dr. Amidu Tadese; a don at the Federal College of Education, Iwo, Osun State, Latifat Eniola; the Bobajiro of Iwo land, High Chief Franklin Niyi Akinola; High Chief Kunle Alabi from Iwo City Polytechnic; Dr. Olabamiji Oyebode of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and secondary school students from Iwo, yesterday, urged Nigerians and their leaders to learn valuable lessons from the June 12,1993 presidential polls to engender more national cohesion.
They made the call during the 2024 anniversary of June 12 organised by The Wings Schools at the school hall, Iwo, Osun State, with the theme: “Anniversary of June 12,1993 Election: Managing Nigeria’s pluralism”.
It would be recalled that a presidential election was held in 1993 between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC). The poll was nullified by the federal military government led by Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Commemorating the day, The Wings Schools invited students from various schools to give their insights, perspectives, challenges and understanding of the June 12 saga.
The schools include Bowen University International School, Precious Baptist High School, Baptist High School, The Wings Schools, Local Authority Commercial Grammar School, Agbaje International College, St. Mary Secondary School and others.
In a remark, Prof. Olurode, a former Dean at the University of Lagos, said there were immense lessons in the watershed election.
The professor said Nigerians despite their different ethno-religious backgrounds, when they are faced with hardship, they can sink their ethnic differences and decide to build a Nigerian national society which was what June 12 represents.
Dr. Tadese said the fact that the election was peaceful was a pointer that Nigeria’s polls could be rancour-free.
In her lecture, Mrs. Eniola said June 12 remained a significant day in Nigeria’s democratic journey, pointing out that despite the pluralistic nature of the country, the people united and voted for their preferred candidate.
High Chief Akinola, who was the special guest of honour, said: “We should manage our pluralism in such a way as to unite us not divide us. We should see ourselves as one”.
Chairman on the occasion. High Chief Alabi commended the students, especially those from public schools for their profound and brilliant insights.
