Former House of Representatives members from Nigeria’s Third Republic have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to provide support for democracy heroes living in poverty.
In a statement signed by their spokesperson, Mr. John Fasogbon, on Wednesday, the ex-lawmakers emphasized the significant role of the Third Republic, led by the late MKO Abiola, in establishing Nigeria’s current democracy. Fasogbon lamented that many key figures in the democratic struggle are now in abject poverty despite their contributions to the country’s democratic progress.
He noted that their elections were the most free and fair in Nigeria’s history, but they were dismissed by the military junta without receiving any benefits. Fasogbon stressed that many of these former lawmakers have died without entitlements, and those still alive are suffering in poverty.
He called on President Tinubu to assist in paying their entitlements from 1992-1993 as an act of national reconciliation.