June 12: Tinubu unsung hero of Nigeria’s democracy – VP Shettima

Kasim Shettima, Vice President has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the unsung hero of Nigeria’s democracy in the past 25 years.

Shettima disclosed this on Tuesday at a Public Lecture marking Nigeria’s celebration of 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance held at the State House conference center in Abuja

According to him, the President sacrificed his life and comfort for the sustenance of Democracy.

He stressed that when Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President was chased out of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Tinubu embraced him and gave him Action Congress to run for the presidential election.

He added that Tinubu was a sanctuary for victims of political witch-hunt in Nigeria.

“In these 25 years, we have learned that democracy is not a destination but a journey.

“One that requires constant nurturing and vigilance. Our progress has been marred by trials serving as reminders of the precariousness of our democratic principles.

“Nigerians suffer from memory albinia. It is pertinent to remind us that for about two years there was a clamor, robustly funded for a northern to to succeed Muhammedu Buhari.

“What separates us from another political group at that epoch is our realization that what this country needs is a unifying leader.

“The one not bound by any toxic regional solidarity and is known for outstanding leadership, we searched the political horizon and our search fell on one person, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The path that led us to Ahmed Tinubu did not happen by chance. He has sacrificed his comfort for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.

“During the dark hours of military dictatorship, when the Nation was enveloped in darkness when there were hues and cries of marginalization, this gentle Man sacrificed his life and comfort for the enthronement of Democracy.

“This political enigma has been caricatured. But our younger compatriot must be on the known on Tinubu’s memories from decades past when fulcrum of opposition to the enthronement of one party system in Nigeria.

“When his contemporaries were trading for a place in Abuja and in the process throwing their allies under the bus, he provided encourageously political alternatives to the ruling party. He was ostracised by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

“By the virtue of his commitment and zeal, one by one, this gentle restored the stollen mandate of Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo, Rauf Aregbesola in Osun and Adams Oshiomhole of Edo. He has remained a veritable sanctuary for victims of political witch hunts over the years.

“When former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, was harassed and intimidated and dehumanized and chased out of PDP, it was the bullion he ran to. It was the lion of the bullion that gave him the political structure to contest for presidency under the Action Congress.

“Four years later, he provided the same political platform for another northern, Nuhu Ribadu to contest for Presidency.

“The likes of Baba Bisi Akande are still alive to tell the story of how former President Muhammadu Buhari emerged.

“This is the unsung hero of Nigeria’s democratic history. In the fullest of time, I believe that posterity kind to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, he stated.

Recall that the Nigerian government declared June 12 Wednesday, a Public Holiday to mark successful years of democracy.

In 1993, the presidential election was won by MKO Abiola but it was annulled by then military head of State Ibrahim Babagida.