Finally, June 12 of every year has been declared Democracy Day in Nigeria.
It will henceforth replace May 29 which had annually been celebrated as Democracy Day.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the declaration in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating the significance of June 12, 1993.
He personally signed the statement.
June 12, 1993 was the day Nigerians embarked on a presidential election described as the freest and fairest in the annals of the country.
Politician, businessman and philanthropist, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was the winner of the election.
However, the military government of President Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election leading to an unprecedented and protracted political upheavals in the country.
Also, Abiola, was honoured posthumously with the highest honour in the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR.
His running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, bags a Grand Commander of the Order of Niger, GCON.
Lawyer and human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, who fought tirelessly for the return of the June 12 mandate to Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, was also honoured posthumously.
He was honoured with a GCON.
Below is the statement by President Buhari:
“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 21st, 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 12 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 actualization of the June 12thelections and indeed for Democracy in general, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN is to be awarded posthumously a GCON.
“The investiture will take place on Tuesday June 12th, 2018, a date which in future years will replace May 29th as a National Public Holiday in celebration of Nigeria Democracy Day.”
