Instead of May 29 every year, Democracy Day will now be celebrated
in Nigerian on June 12, President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday.
“I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the
Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as
Democracy Day,” Buhari said in a statement.
Nigeria had its, arguably, freest and fairest presidential
elections on June 12, 1993. Deemed to have been won by late Moshood Abiola, the
election was annulled by the then military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida.
Buhari also announced the conferment of Nigeria’s highest national
honour on Abiola while his running mate, Babagana Kingibe and late lawyer and
human rights activist Gani Fawehinmi were conferred with the second highest
national honour.
“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in
the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola.
“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.”
“Chief Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is
also to be awarded a GCON.
“Furthermore, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, a tireless
fighter for human rights and democracy, and for the actualisation of the June
12, 1993 elections, will be posthumously awarded a GCON.” - Guardian.ng
No comments:
Post a Comment