President Muhammadu Buhari has in a statement declared that the 12th of June shall now be recognise as the new democracy day.
May 29th used to be Democracy and it was on that day that civilian rule was restored in the nation as Head of State Abdusalami Abubakar handed over to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The President took to Twitter to make this announcement, stating that the day in which MKO Abiola won what was regarded as Nigeria’s freest election would now be the day recognised as Democracy day.
Buhari also announced that Abiola would be posthumously awarded the title of GCFR.
He said: “Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Govt has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.
“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola.”
The statement also added that Abiola’s running mate in the 1993 election would also be awarded the GCON.
“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.”
The statement explained that the Presidency shared the view of many Nigerians that June 12,1993 played a greater role in the country’s democracy than May 29th or even October 1st.
” 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.
“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.” the statement read.
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