By VICTOR ADEOTI

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 Mr John Fasogbon, the Spokesperson for the former lawmakers, on Wednesday in Osogbo.

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

Fasogbon said that actors in the struggle for full fledged democracy, currently being enjoyed in the country, were wallowing in abject poverty.

“We, members of House of Representatives in the Third Republic, contested and won our elections, which was adjudged as the most free and fair in the history of the country.

“But, unfortunately, after we were sworn in, we were sacked by the Military junta without any benefit.

“Today, June 12 is being celebrated with the heroes of democracy dying in anguish and 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 1992-1993, when we were at Federal House of Representatives”, he said.

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 Chief 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)