Wednesday’s declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day by President Muhammadu Buhari is still generating mixed reaction across the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday declared that June 12 will henceforth be celebrated as Democracy Day and a title of GCFR be conferred on Late Chief Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.
Reacting to the development, Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said President Muhammadu Buhari by declaring June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day put an end to the “hypocrisy” of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Falana in a statement issued on Wednesday said declaring June 12 as Democracy Day “validated the integrity of the fair and free election that was criminally annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida junta”.
The human rights lawyer also called on the government to adopt Abiola’s welfare programme to tackle poverty.
“The Muhammadu Buhari administration made history today by conferring the post humous national award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Chief M. K. O. Abiola, the acclaimed of the June 12, 1993 presidential election for his huge contribution to the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria,” the statement read.
“By declaring June 12 Democracy Day the federal government has officially validated the integrity of the fair and free election that was criminally annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida junta.
“By recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day the federal government has put an end to the hypocrisy of May 29 which was proclaimed by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime. By conferring the post humous award of national award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN the federal government has officially endorsed his enormous contributions to the titanic battle against military dictatorship and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.
“In addition to the historic gesture the federal government should proceed to adopt chief Abiola’s programme of welfare to poverty and respect the human rights of all Nigerians which Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN championed and defended in his life time.
“In particular, the federal government should mark the first national democracy day on June 12, 2018 with the release of all citizens who are being detained illegally all over the country and immediate compliance with all valid and subsisting court orders.”
On her part, a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, hailed the decision by Buhari to declare June 12 as the new Democracy Day in honour of the late presumed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Abiola.
She, however, urged Buhari led federal government to equally honour Kudirat Abiola who was assassinated while defending her husband’s mandate.
Ezekwesili, in a tweet, said the symbolism of June 12 is huge for our Democracy. “The sacrifice of the Abiola family was much and I do hope Mrs. Kudirat Abiola is similarly accorded the honor due her. #History.”
Balarabe Musa, National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party and former governor of old Kaduna State, said Mr Buhari’s action had given Nigerians renewed hope.
“President Buhari’s action with regards to declaration of June 12 as democracy day and award of the highest honour to late Chief MKO Abiola are relevant, just, courageous and patriotic.
“The actions give hope that President Buhari can do the right thing and correct wrongs before it’s too late for him and for the nation,’’ Musa said.
On the contrary, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore has described the award of Nigeria’s highest national honour on late Moshood Abiola is illegal.
Belgore, who was CJN from 2006 to 2007, said the national honours cannot be awarded posthumously, let alone the GCFR, which is the highest honour in the land.
“It is not done. It is for people living.
“The only thing they could do is to name a place after him, but national honours award, no,” he told newsmen.
Belgore also said he “was not consulted” by the Buhari administration, before the decision was taken.
Late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was the winner of the 1993 presidential election that was annulled by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, a holder of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, 20 years after his death in 1998.
Also, the senator representing Rivers South East in the National Assembly, Magnus Ngei Abe hailed the decision of the president, adding that it was a bold and courageous step by the president as most Nigerians had yearn for it.
