By AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL, Bauchi –
A Bauchi based politician, Hon. Aminu Mohammed Tukur has implored President Bola Tinubu led Federal Government to declare January 15th yearly as “Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Day”.
Hon. Tukur also called on the National Assembly members and other patriotic Nigerians to support his call in compliance with National Anthem’s “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.
He made the called in an exclusive Interview with NATIONAL ACCORD on Thursday in Bauchi.
Hon. Aminu Mohammed Tukur
Hon. Tukur, an All Progressive Congress(APC) chieftain in Bauchi State and former two term state lawmaker, praised former President Muhammadu Buhari led government for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day in memory and honour of late Chief M. K O Abiola.
According to him, Chief M.K.O Abiola, believed to have won the annulled presidential election on June, 12,1993, but was not officially so announced, not swron-in, and is nationally honoured with a National Work Free Day as Democracy Day, I strongly hold that the late first Prime Minister of Nigeria, deserves more”.
“Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was among those who fought for independence of Nigeria from British colonialists from to 1960, when Nigeria got liberated. But assassinated on January 15th, 1966, with others in a bloody coup”.
“Chief Manshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO Abiola) contested the presidential election which he was believed to have won, but denied by the then military regime headed by Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida for certain interest against national interest. “And today, MKO Abiola is treated as a political martyr.
He opined that: “Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stood firmly fighting for independence of Nigeria, but was brutally murdered on January 15th 1966 alongside other national figures He was unanimously elected as the 1st prime minister of Nigeria, a position he occupied for less than 10 years.
According to the APC chieftain, Sir Abubakar lived and worked for the betterment of Nigerians. He represented Nigeria at different international events including the United Nations. And was recognized globally. Some nations still recognised and respect his contributions and sacrifices.
He further challenged Bauchi and Gombe people, northern politicians and indeed Nigerians from second republic to date to respect and honour the late Prime Minister.
Hon. Tukur argued that “for the interest of Democracy, patriotism, I believe there should be a special Day necessarily the very day the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was assassinated.. Tafawa should be celebrated in such a way that, his remembrance day should not be merged with any other day.
” The day should not be a merry making affairs but a sober day in the history of Nigerian democracy besides Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
He also advised that “Why can we not convinced the Tafawa Balewa day and Armed forces remembrance and celebrate it together to make it excellent and qualitative leadership day.
The APC chieftain, further, came down hard on Bauchi state government saying “apart from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University/ Teaching Hospital, International Airport and Stadium been named after him in Bauchi, there is no street named after him anywhere in the state.
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