Members of the House of Representatives in the botched Third Republic have appealed to President Bola Tinubu not to allow heroes of democracy in the country to die in penury.

The appeal is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the former lawmakers on Wednesday in Osogbo, Osun State, John Fasogbon.

According to him, the mother of the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria is the Third Republic, led by the late MKO Abiola.

Mr Fasogbon lamented that the actors in the struggle for full-fledged democracy, which the country is currently enjoying, were wallowing in abject poverty.

He said, “We, members of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic, contested and won our elections, which were adjudged to be the most free and fair in the history of the country. Unfortunately, after we were sworn in, we were sacked by the military junta without any benefits. Today, June 12, is being celebrated with the heroes of democracy dying in anguish penury. Many of us have died without any benefits, while those of us alive are living in poverty.

“In the spirit of national reconciliation, we appeal to the President to assist us in the payment of our entitlements between 1992 and 1993, when we are in the Federal House of Representatives.’’

Mr Fasogbon, who represented Ife Federal Central Constituency, appealed to the President to honour the former lawmakers in the same way his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, honoured MKO Abiola and his running mate, Baba Gana Kingibe.

He congratulated the President and Nigerians on the celebration of 25 years of uninterrupted democracy. 

(NAN)