By John Moses
As Nigeria prepares to mark 32 years since its historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, a senior opposition figure has urged President Bola Tinubu to restore suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to office.
Chief Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), issued the appeal on Wednesday in an open letter, encouraging President Tinubu to embrace the spirit of national healing associated with Democracy Day.
The 1993 vote, won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola but later annulled by the military, has come to represent a key turning point in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. June 12 is now recognised as Democracy Day in honour of that moment.
Referring to President Tinubu’s own legacy as a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement and a former member of NADECO, George urged the President to demonstrate political magnanimity.
“Forgiveness is a powerful tool in leadership,” said George. “If President Tinubu has extended clemency to Governor Sanwo-Olu, then it would be just and symbolic to do the same for Governor Fubara.”
Fubara, who was suspended in March amid rising political tensions in Rivers State, recently visited Tinubu during the Sallah celebrations in Lagos—a move seen by some as an attempt to ease strained relations.
George also appealed to Tinubu’s sense of history, invoking the memory of Herbert Macaulay, a key figure in Nigeria’s early political movements and George’s maternal great uncle.
“Let us remember those who fought for our democracy—many of whom did not live to see it take root,” he said. “Reinstating Fubara would be a powerful message of national reconciliation.”
He concluded by calling for unity and healing across party lines as Nigeria commemorates one of the most pivotal dates in its democratic history.
