The immediate past President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has disclosed that the significance of June 12 as a day of honouring the late MKO Abiola, the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, made the 8th National Assembly fast-tracked passage of the bill as a national Democracy Day.

Mr Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, therefore, called on Nigerians to imbibe the significance of June 12 as a Democracy Day, while working together to defend and protect the nation’s democracy and its institutions.

He also emphasised that Nigeria must also honour its heroes who played key roles in making the election possible and actualizing it.

“Democracy Day is a sombre commemoration of our nation’s history. It is a reminder that a government for, of, and by the people is and must be Nigeria’s only recourse.

“As we commemorate today, and remember our heroes like Chief MKO Abiola, we must all collectively commit to playing our own individual roles in the defence of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Moving forward, all Nigerians must see this day as a day to recommit ourselves towards the patriotic ideals of unity, peace, faith and brotherliness.

“The significance of June 12th cannot be understated in our nation, and this is why the 8th National Assembly worked to fast-track its passage into law as a national holiday.

“It is my belief that what we need to do to commemorate June 12 is to grow the economy and ensure that we banish poverty, squalor, illiteracy, diseases, insecurity, and underdevelopment from our country to enable our people enjoy the benefits of democracy and the government they freely chose,” Mr Saraki stated as reported by Daily Nigerian.