Oyo, Ogun and Osun State Governments have declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work-free day in the state.
Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli in a statement made available to journalists on Friday said Governor Abiola Ajimobi approved Monday as work-free day to commemorate the annulment of the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 elections, generally believed to have been won by late Chief MKO Abiola.
He said the government will use the anniversary to honour the martyrdom of Chief Abiola, who laid down his life for Nigerians to enjoy the democratic dividends of today.
Similarly, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work-free day.
A statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the annual holiday is in honour of the late illustrious son of the state, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 Presidential election, which marked a unique watershed in Nigeria’s democracy.
The statement reads in part, “This year’s celebration will feature the annual ‘Democracy Walk’, which will be led by the governor, starting from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7am.
“The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.
“Later in the day, an inspirational stage play, ‘Oju Kelekun’ (farewell to reproach), directed by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre, between 3:45 and 6:00pm.”
In Osun, a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, announced Monday, June 12 public holiday.
The statement said: “In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as Democracy Day, the State Government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12 as public holiday.”
Mr. Okanlawon stated that the public holiday became imperative in view of the fact that June 12 marked a watershed in the history of democratic evolution in the country.
