Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has declared that Democracy Day will now be celebrated on the 12th of June instead of the 29th of May. Nigerians agree that the country had its freest and fairest presidential elections on June 12, 1993 which was won by the late Moshood Abiola before it was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida, the then military Head of State. There has therefore, been a loud applause for this move.
“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… 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 (Nigeria’s Democracy Day), or even October 1 (Nigeria’s Independence Day).”
He also declared a conferment of Nigeria’s highest national honour on Moshood 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.
“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.” The statement said.
