With Steve Otaloro
The visit of the former governor of Edo State and the senator representing Edo North senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to Ondo State as the Special Guest Lecturer at the June 12 Democracy Day anniversary celebration was more than a ceremonial appearance.
It was a significant moment of national reflection, political engagement and a renewed call to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and security architecture.
Held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Akure, the event brought together an impressive gathering of political leaders, traditional rulers, labour veterans, government officials, youths, civil society groups and security agencies.
The convergence of these stakeholders underscored the importance of June 12 in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and the urgent need to address the challenges confronting the nation.
For Ondo State, hosting Comrade Oshiomhole was particularly symbolic. A veteran labour leader, former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, former governor and now senator of the Federal Republic, Oshiomhole represents one of the enduring voices of democratic resistance and principled leadership in contemporary Nigeria.
His participation as the Special Guest Lecturer added historical depth and credibility to the occasion. As one of the prominent figures who stood against military authoritarianism and advocated for democratic governance, Oshiomhole’s reflections resonated strongly with the ideals of June 12.
In his lecture, Oshiomhole described June 12 as a symbol of courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to democratic values.
He paid glowing tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola, describing him as the conscience of the Nigerian nation, whose refusal to surrender his mandate transformed him into a global symbol of sacrifice and democratic struggle.
Oshiomhole said, “In celebrating Abiola, we are celebrating courage, consistency, doggedness, commitment to nation and fearlessness. He stood firm for democracy and he stood firm for Nigeria.”
Drawing from his experiences during the June 12 struggle as Deputy President of the NLC, the former governor reminded Nigerians that the 1993 presidential election remains the finest example of national unity, where citizens voted beyond ethnic and religious sentiments in pursuit of a common destiny.
He lamented the growing influence of religious divisions in politics today, warneling against narratives capable of undermining national cohesion.
He continued, “Talking about June 12 is to remind ourselves that we had Nigerians who commanded respect across the North, South, East and West.”
Beyond democratic ideals, Oshiomhole’s lecture addressed pressing national issues. He defended ongoing economic reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and exchange rate unification, arguing that the old subsidy regime encouraged corruption and economic distortions.
He also supported legislative oversight of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, insisting that transparency and accountability remain essential pillars of democratic governance.
Perhaps most importantly, the former labour leader advocated the restoration of History as a subject in schools, stressing that a nation that forgets its past risks losing its identity and sense of purpose.
Governor of Ondo States, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and warned that insecurity poses a direct threat to democratic consolidation.
He emphasised that democracy cannot flourish where citizens live in fear or are prevented from participating freely in the electoral process.
The governor reiterated Ondo State’s preparedness for the establishment of state police, stating that the necessary structures had already been put in place.
Aiyedatiwa said, “For us in Ondo State, we’ve been ready a long time. We have the structure, we have the people and all that is left is the approval of needed weapons and equipment.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted efforts by his administration to strengthen the Amotekun Corps through improved welfare packages, enrolment into the contributory pension scheme and the recruitment of 500 additional personnel.
His position received broad support from participants at the event, reinforcing growing national conversations around decentralised policing as a solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
The significance of Oshiomhole’s visit, therefore, extends beyond delivering a keynote lecture. It served as a bridge between Nigeria’s democratic past and its future aspirations, offering younger generations firsthand insights from one of the actors in the struggle for democracy, while providing practical perspectives on governance, accountability and nation-building.
At a time when the country is preparing for another electoral cycle amid security concerns and economic reforms, Oshiomhole’s presence in Ondo State provided reassurance that the ideals of June 12 remain alive.
His visit challenged leaders to govern with courage, citizens to participate actively in the democratic process and institutions to uphold transparency, justice and accountability.
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, the lessons from the Akure event are clear: democracy must be defended, security must be strengthened, history must be remembered and national unity must remain paramount.
The June 12 anniversary celebration in Ondo State was not merely a remembrance of the past, it was a call to action for a more secure, united and democratic Nigeria. The presence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Special Guest ensured that the message was delivered with the moral authority of experience, the conviction of patriotism and the enduring spirit of those who fought to preserve the nation’s democracy.
Otaloro, a public affairs analyst, writes from Akure, Ondo State capital.