By Emeka Alex Duru
In a deft political move that may warm him into Nigerians, particularly pro-democracy activists, President Muhammadu Buhari, has conferred on late MKO Abiola, the posthumous honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
He has also declared June 12, Democracy Day, in replacement of May 29, that has since 1999, been celebrated for the occasion.
Buhari made the declaration in a press statement that he personally signed on Wednesday, June 6.
Going by the new development, June 12 will be observed as public holiday, in place of May 29, subsequently.
The statement read in part; “June 12, 1993, was the day, when Nigerians in millions, expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly, the freest, fairest and most peaceful elections since our independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military government, does not detract from the democratic credentials of that process”.
He accordingly declared June 12, Democracy Day.
June 12, 1993, was the day Nigerians went for a presidential election that was mostly adjudged free and fair. Abiola, who was the presidential candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), was almost coasting home to victory over his opponent, Bashir Tofar of the then National Republican Convention (NRC), when the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election, claiming that the exercise was dogged by irregularities.
Abiola who was bent on actualizing his mandate, was clamped into detention by the succeeding General Sani Abacha regime.
He did not achieve the desire till he died under General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration on July 7, 1998.
Abubakar, who ran an 11-month political transition programme, later handed over to the civilian government of Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
May 29 has been celebrated as Democracy Day, with public holiday, since then.
Notwithstanding, Abiola’s supporters, have however, been clamouring for his recognition and June 12, celebrated as real Democracy Day.
Three years into office, Buhari has acceded to the demand. He equally conferred on Babagana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate in the election, the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), was also accorded posthumous honour of GCON.
Buhari, however did not fully pronounce Abiola as the winner of the election. He referred to him, rather, as the presumed winner.
