From Richard Akintade, Osogbo
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu celebrates 2nd years in office, former member of the House of Representatives from Ife Central Federal Constituency between 1992 and 1993, Hon John Fasogbon, has appealed to President Tinubu to urgently consider the benefits of the affected members of both Red and Green Chambers during this period.
Fasogbon in a press statement, and made available to newsmen, members of the then House of Representatives as well as the Senate in 1992-1993 fought against the annulment of June 12 , 1993 Presidential election and for the institution of democracy enjoyed today.
The politician, on behalf of others strongly appealed to President Tinubu on the payment of their entitlements as members of the Green chamber then recalls that Mr President himself was at that period a member of the Senate.
The Ile-Ife born politician lamented that, some of the affected politicians have been in abject poverty, and unrest while some have died unattended to without benefit as there has not been anything like remuneration or severance allowance to them since then.
“I want to lay emphasis that, out of 598 legislatures, no fewer than 271 out of us have died which is calling for urgent attention of President Tinubu to attend to our plight. Mr President needs to review the cases of some of us who were also the victims of democracy which is actually the real symbol.
“MKO and many others have died, while some of us are still alive in abject poverty most especially the likes of the then legislators who were duly elected but sacked without any benefit whatsoever.
“The acceptance of Democracy Day is in recognition of the supreme price that Chief MKO Abiola paid and it has elevated him to the status of an international figure like Martin Luther King, who fought for justice and liberation in the United States of America, USA.
“The mother of democracy in Nigeria is the Third Republic led by Chief MKO Abiola that gave birth to lasting democracy in Nigeria which everyone are enjoying today and being celebrated as June 12, but unfortunately the actors are wallowing in abject poverty”, Hon Fasogbon said.
Recalls that during the immediate past tenure of President Mohammed Buhari that he paid all the entitlement of late Chief MKO Abiola and his running mate then, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe who are the Executive, while National Honour was also given to them, but the symbol of democracy as legislatures were not considered.
Hon Fasogbon said, according to Mariam Webster, “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must also treat us the way President Buhari treated the Executive arm, while our own is equally the same legislative arm of 1993 victims”.
Hon Fasogbon, however, congratulated President Tinubu on the celebration of his 2nd-year in office as well as democracy day, saying he has done well in office towards the betterment of entire Nigerians.
