Buhari  Confers Posthumous Award On Late Chief MKO Abiola, Declares June 12 As Democracy Day

Chief MKO Abiola casting vote on June 12

The Federal Government of Nigeria has conferred a posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), the highest in Nigeria, on Late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, General election.

Also, the Government declared June 12 as the real Democracy, during which one of the freest and fairest election in Nigeria was held, but annulled by the then military administration led by the then President Ibrahim Badamosi  Babangida.

These official recognitions are coming ahead of the 2019 General election, barely 20 years after Chief Abiola’s death and 25 years after the annulled June 12 election.

This is politically seen as strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to shore up their image and garner support from the South Western part of Nigeria, the home base of the late Abiola and from democrats who associate with the June 12.

President Muhammadu Buhari announced these through his official Twitter handle in Abuja Wednesday.

Buhari stated: “Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.

“June 12, 1993 was the day millions of Nigerians expressed their Democratic will in the freest, fairest & most peaceful elections since our Independence.

“That the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military Govt does not detract from its democratic credentials.

“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola.

“Chief Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be awarded a GCON. Furthermore, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, tireless fighter for human rights & democracy, & for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 elections,will be posthumously awarded a GCON.

“In the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12, 1993, was and is far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, or even October 1″.