Twenty five years after the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, the Federal Government has tendered an unreserved apology to the acclaimed winner of the exercise, the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Special apologies also went to all those who fought tirelessly for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 election, including journalists, human rights activists and politicians among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari made the apology at the special event to give Abiola the highest honour in the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR.
At the event Abiola’s running mate during the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Babagana Kingibe, and foremost human rights activist, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, were honoured with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON.
His words: “We recognise that an error has been committed.
“We will no longer tolerate such perversion of justice.
“This honour is for the grievous injustice done to the country.
“It is meant to assist at healing the wounds and building national reconciliation of the 25 years of wounds caused by the annulment.
“I earnestly urge Nigerians to accept it in good faith and bury the past of June 12.
“We are celebrating June 12 as a democracy sustenance, freedom, unity and national cohesion.
“It will impact positively on the next generation.
“I tender the nation’s apology to the family of MKO Abiola; also to those who struggled and stood for June 12.”
A minute silence was declared in honour of the victims of June 12.
The children of Abiola –Kola and Hafsat – were present at the occasion.
Hafsat spoke: “Today is important because it represents the unity of Nigeria.
“I urge all Nigerians to support President Buhari.”
He also spoke to Buhari: “On behalf of the MKO Abiola family, I apologise to you and your family for anything that we would have done to hurt you and your family.
“By recognising June 12, you have awoken all those victims of the oppression and also a call-up for a new beginning for the defence of the country.”
It is the first time June 12 is marked as a Democracy Day at the national level.
June 12, 1993 presidential election was annulled by Military President Ibrahim Babangida despite the declaration that the exercise was the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria.
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The entire country was turned to a battle field with human rights activists and generality of Nigerians fighting to ensure the de-annulment of the election.
Many lives were lost and properties destroyed in the process.
Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the election, also breathed his last in defence of the mandate given to him by Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic or religious leanings.
