A veteran journalist, Mr Richard Akinnola, has said irrespective of the hardship facing the country, military rule is a no-option for Nigeria.
Akinola, who condemned those calling for the return of the military due to the country’s economic hardship, urged Nigerians to work together to overcome the obstacles facing their nation.
He spoke on Wednesday while delivering a lecture at the 2024 Democracy Day celebration held at the Kuto Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The human rights and pro-democracy activist, in his lecture titled, “June 12: Defining Moment in the Democratic Development of Nigeria,” chided the nation’s judiciary for being a tool in the hands of the military government to annul the June 12 elections.
He said “In fact, June 12 stands as a defining moment and a watershed in our quest for democracy. That is why we should be very careful. Some people who did not experience what we went through are not subtly calling for the military.
“We must say no, never do we call for the military again. Whatever the challenges we are having, let’s fight, let us argue, let us disagree, let us abuse each other, but never should we be tempted to invite the military”
Akinnola referred to the June 12 elections as the greatest in the country’s history while pointing out that the annulment’s aftermath resulted in the deaths of pro-democracy activists and fostered mutual distrust among citizens.
He asserted that for democracy to thrive in the country, Nigerians must keep their leaders on their toes adding that, people should not forget those who sacrificed their lives for the democracy being enjoyed in the country now.
In his goodwill message, a pro-democracy activist and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Ogun State, Dr Niran Malaolu, eulogised Chief Abiola for paying the supreme prize for the nation to experience democracy, noting that several Nigerians also suffered in the course of returning the country to democratic rule.
Military rule not solution to Nigeria’s hardship – Activist, Akinnola