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Extract from Guardian...
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To be chaired by Chief Anthony Eromosele Enahoro, some of the highlights of the ceremony, would include unveiling the Martyrs of Democracy in Nigeria, recitation of democracy poems, solidarity messages and songs.

He said some of the "Heroes of Democracy" being expected include Chief Abraham Adesanya, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Comrade Frank Kokori, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd), Col. Abubakar Umar, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Alhaji Lam Adeshina.

Speakers at the symposium are Prof. Sophie Oluwole, Alhaji Ghali Umar Na'Abba, Chief Harry Akande, Hon. Uche Onyeguocha, Chief Oluremi Adikwu-Bakare, Mrs. Ayo Obe, Mr. Femi Falana, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Mrs. Peace Obiajulu, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Reuben Abati, Col. Hameed Ali, Prof. Pat Utomi and Lillian Ekeanyanwu.

Reflecting on how the lessons of June 12 could be made to bear fruit, polity, Chief Guy Ikokwu, a lawyer, member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), G-34 and foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said a level playing ground must be created for the forthcoming polls.

His words: "Before the 2007 polls there is still time for the heated Nigerian polity to be cooled down by a more level playing ground being adopted by the National Assembly by the creation of more states in the federation.

"Apart from the creation of more states to ensure a parity of eight states per zone, that is 48 states in all, there is the need to address some specific anomalies that would help strengthen our democracy.

"For instance some institutional changes are necessary to make for greater transparency and efficiency. The office of the Minister of Justice should be separate from that of the Attorney General of the Federation. In deserving cases, a special prosecutor could be appointed to handle situations independently from the influence of the Executive arm.

"The National Assembly and the Judiciary which are supposed to be separate arms of the nation's administration should be financially independent and self-accounting."

Adegbite who spoke in Abeokuta Ogun State at the weekend also regretted that the Federal Government had not considered it fit to immortalize Chief Abiola, the symbol of June 12 and Nigerian democracy.

Adegbite stated: "Yes we have learnt some lessons about June 12 but such lessons have not gone down deep enough. The mark is not high enough either in the conduct of the 1999 or 2003 elections."

He explained that the uproars that trailed the 1999 and 2003 demonstrated that lessons learnt from June 12 had not been deep enough.

"We should use this particular anniversary to reflect on the significance of June 12, because this preceds the election year, so that we would be able to conduct free and fair election that would be acceptable to all"

Recalling that election, the late Abiola and his running mate, Baba Gana Kingbibe, were both Moslems, he pointed out that they were never the less accepted by all. He also noted that 14 years after, Nigerians are clamouring for ethnic and religious politics.

"Now we seem to be moving away from that ideal as everybody is calling for President from his or her place and this is unfortunate. I think we should quickly correct that," he said.

Anybody should be free to contest for any political office in the country and it is up to Nigerians to accept or reject him or her, Adegbite said.

Asked if in his view, Abiola had been sufficiently immortalized for paying the supreme price for Nigerian's democracy, he said. "I feel uncomfortable about the Federal Government in this regard. It is totally incredible and also unpardonable that the hero of Nigeria's democracy can continuously be ignored by the authorities."

To him, it is June 12 of every year that should be declared Nigeria's Democracy Day and not May 29.

Adegbite insisted that by now, Abiola should have been given a post-humous award of GCFR (Grand Commander of the Fedeal Republic). He for his role in Nigeria polities because he (Abiola) truly deserves it. He hope, the Federal Government would honour Abiola before it leaves power,



Also the Ogun State government, has declared today as a Public holiday in honour of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, symbol of the June 12 struggle.

Similarly the Ondo State chapter of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) has decried the non-recognition of June 12 as democracy day by the Federal Government, 13 years after the annulled 1993 Presidential elections.

The party, in statement to mark the 13th anniversary of the annulled polls, also decried the attitude of government towards the Late Chief Abiola, whom it described as the symbol of democratic struggle in Nigeria.

In the statement signed by Lola Fagbemi, the party's Secretary, the AD stated that it "considers the celebration of May 29 as Democracy Day instead of June 12 as a deliberate policy of the PDP-led government to consign the import of that landmark election in the restoration of the present democratic dispensation into the dustbin of history.

"The point has been made and will continue to be made without any risk of being bored that June12 is Nigerians' Democracy Day, a day they freely gave their mandate to the Late M.K.O. Abiola in a free and fair election.

Therefore the party strongly condemns this new form of annulment of June 12 embarked upon by the PDP government at all levels. June 12 will remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians".

The AD also condemned the one-week celebration of Democracy Day, which was celebrated by the Olusegun Agagu Administration with a grand finale on May 29, saying it was a "mere political jamboree and a waste of public resources".
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...welll, i was there to witness the charade. To an extent, it mummyfied the whole essence of the day. Some spoke within the focal concept while others spoke out of order. Some even distributed anti-national leaflets, which nullified the whole essence of The Man and the DAY.

I was amused by the rush for drinks, the jarre for office and the sound of "vote me", rather than "seek unity". What June 12 stood for was the Unity of a diversified ethnical Nation that stood still to point its' finger in one direction and state,"this is our mandate". Can it re-occur again. While PDP battles for Unity, will we not bear its burden if it does not remain divided to create room for sane representatives capable or been responsible to thier constituency ?

A host of questions swim in the sea of this condemnation of a polity that we should have seek to play a part in its' formation. Now, my words years back that all is political in the sight of the living, with the need to play sincerity with a conscience is coming to fore.

The program did not see a youth leader address it. It did not call a youth leader or mention NANS has having layed a role in the drama of annulment. It was silent...and Nigerian Students were also silent. Can i blame them ?

Oure future lies in constant orientation of the people. We need to keep talking and performing. OBASANJO IS HUMAN...a mere creation of another. We may not have put him in power, but we could teach him. If he fails to learn, he will fail to stay in office. If he goes, who is next ? Who will change things ? Are we ready for the Change ? Are we ready to face the truth and stay in our Country to make itr better ?

When i look at the colonial era which took fourty-six years (46) and the Nigerian Leadership which used another fourty-six years (46), Nigeria in the hands of the British was brutish and fair to the economy. Ours is enslavement in our own polity...selfish and sustainable. Corruption is systematic in nature. Age and ideas forms the cabal. Reasearch is nothing to our class of Leadership. Comaparism, a crime.

Today, learnt a new thing. THAT THE NET COULD NOT PRODUCE A WORD OF INFORMATION ON JUNE 12. I was suprised. We need not immortalise June 12...it is a processs that can enshrine Democracy in the mind of the Individual an give us a better Nigeria. A stronger growing and developed country with a role to play in World Peace and Unity. Try singing the secound (2nd) stanza of the National Anthem. Try it.