Finally, FG Declares June 12 Democracy Day

 

…Confers Posthumous GCFR On Abiola, GCON On Fawehinmi

…Honours Kingibe With GCON Too

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has declared June 12 as the new date for the celebration of Democracy Day, which was hitherto celebrated on May 29 every year.

He also honoured the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola with a posthumous GCFR title.

Buhari in a tweet on his official twitter handle informed Nigerians why June 12 will replace May 29, as Democracy Day celebration, adding that June 12 is a more symbolic day.

“Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government 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 Chief MKO Abiola,” The twit reads in part.

He continued, “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.”

Buhari also conferred a national honour GCON on Baba Gana Kingibe and recognised late Gani Fawehinmi,a foremost human rights activist for his role in the actualisation of the June 12 elections.

According to him, “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.”

Buhari explained that, June 12, 1993, election was the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since Nigeria’s Independence.

“June 12, 1993, was the day millions of Nigerians expressed their Democratic will in the freest, fairest and 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,” he said.

The commemoration and investiture, the President stated would take place on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, “a date which in future years will replace May 29 as a National Public holiday in the celebration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day,” Buhari said.

A press statement announcing the decision signed by President Muhammadu Buhari read, “For the past 18 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29th, as Democracy Day. That was the date when for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government. The first time this happened was on October 1st, 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12th, 1993, was far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29th or even the October 1st. June 12th, 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 distract from the democratic credentials of that process. Accordingly, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12th will be celebrated as Democracy Day. Therefore, Government has decided to award posthumously the highest honour of the land, GCFR, to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th 1993 cancelled elections. His running mate as Vice President, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be invested with a GCON. Furthermore, the tireless fighter for human rights and the actualisation of the June 12th election and indeed for Democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN is to be awarded posthumously a GCON. The commemoration and investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.”

Recalled that 1993 presidential election was annulled by the President Ibrahim Babagida