June 12: Buhari Directs Immediate Gazetting Of Presidential Order As Senate Demands INEC Declaration Of Result

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami

To effect his presidential declarations on June 12 as Democracy Day and conferment of posthumous award on Chief MKO Abiola, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Attorney General of the  Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, to commence immediate processes for its publication in federal Gazette.

This is even as the Senate on Thursday, asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to declare the result of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election.

The Senate further demanded the declaration of Late Chief MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as President and Vice President elects respectively, and should be accorded all rights and privileges appartaining to the offices.

This follows his declaration on Wednesday that henceforth, June 12 be observed as Democracy Day in Nigeria and that some heroes of democracy, Chief Abiola and others  be given national honours.

A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity,  Garba Shehu, explained that Buhari gave the directive so that the awards slated for June 12, 2018 can go on as planned.

The Presidential Order on awards to be published in the Federal Gazette   include as follows:

Chief MKO Abiola                        – Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (Posthumous)

Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe – Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger

Chief Gani Fawehinmi       -Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (Posthumous)