June 12: Apologise to Nigerians, ex-Reps member tells Babangida
Hon. Peter Umoh, a former federal lawmaker who represented the Oron constituency in the House of Representatives, has called for former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to apologize to Nigerians for the wrongdoing committed by his government in relation to the June 12, 1993 election.
Telescope.ng gathered that Umoh, who also served as a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, made this plea in response to President Ahmed Tinubu’s national broadcast on the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
Umoh emphasized that in addition to the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day and the recognition of MKO Abiola’s victory in the 1993 election by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, there should be further steps taken towards justice.
He urged Babangida to direct Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), to officially declare the result of the 1993 election.
According to Umoh, it is crucial for the government to request an apology from Babangida on behalf of his government for the wrongs committed during that period.
He believed that such a gesture would bring closure to the issue. Umoh acknowledged Babangida as one of Nigeria’s greatest leaders and highlighted the importance of this apology for the sake of justice.
He also noted that Prof. Humphrey Nwosu had published a book containing the election result, indicating that there is already evidence to support the declaration.
Umoh concluded by suggesting that the government should ensure that all the entitlements due to a former President and Vice President be granted to the families of those affected once the election is officially recognized.
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