Osun State Government yesterday failed to observe the Democracy Day anniversary like it was done in other states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola had upon assumption of office in November 2010 declared that his government would only recognize June 12 every year as the Democracy Day.

However, during the seven and a half years administration of former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Democracy Day was always celebrated with special programmes.

But the last two Democracy Day anniversaries celebrated in the state had been devoid of celebrations, as the state’s helmsman did not give recognition to the day as the Democracy Day.

Although, workers in the employment of the state government enjoyed the public holiday declared by the Federal Government, the people of the state stayed indoors as there was no programme to commemorate the day.

Also, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that used to organize public lectures to mark the anniversary did not turn up for this year’s anniversary and no explanation was given for the party’s decision.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere while commenting on the decision of the state government, said the present administration in the state believed in true democracy, hence its resolve to recognize June 12 and not May 29 as the real Democracy Day.

He said: “May 29 was just handover day. It was the day the military handed over to Olusegun Obasanjo and that was not the Democracy Day. What we are all enjoying today was as a result of the event of the June 12, 1993. So, our Democracy Day in Osun is June 12.

“We cannot join the rest of Nigeria to do a wrong thing knowing that the real Democracy Day is June 12. Every one of us today is benefitting from June 12. It is wrong for anybody to say that May 29, which was hand over day, was Democracy Day in Nigeria.”