[The Activism Blog] Buhari, June 12 and Democracy

June 12

Yesterday’s events were so unprecedented, so unexpected of this government that no one saw it coming, call it the best kept secret of the Buhari presidency, you wouldn’t be wrong. The President in a press statement he personally signed on Tuesday June 6, 2018 announced that the Nigerian democracy day which is usually celebrated on the 29th of May has been designated for June 12. According to President Muhammadu Buhari, his administration shares the view of many Nigerians that June 12, 1993 is far more symbolic to the country’s democracy than May 29, 1999.

The statement also stated that the late Presidential Candidate of the SDP in the 1993 Presidential election Late Chief M.K.O Abiola will be conferred with a posthumous award of Grand Commander of The Federal Republic (GCFR) the highest National honor in the country exclusively reserved for President while his running mate Alhaji Babagana Kingibe will be conferred with the Grand Commander Order of Niger (GCON). The late human right Activist Late Chief Ganiyu Oyeshola Fawehinmi SAN will also receive a posthumous GCON award.

The significance of these honors are not timely (Nigerians have waited 20 years for the government to do right by them), it is the willingness of the government to right wrongs and enthrone Justice speaks volume. The story of the June 12, 1993 elections and its importance to our nation hood has been written and addressed by many but finally there is a respite. That it took us twenty five years is another error that must not be allowed to happen.

The June 12, 1993 post-election crisis and happenings took several lives and it destroyed many businesses but today we have a new order. The military of which President Buhari was part of inflicted a lot of hardship on Nigerians through their intermittent coups and counter coups but it’s interesting he has chosen to correct the ills today.

By this singular act the President has addressed a long standing demand of the Yoruba race and the Civil society organizations. We commend him for that

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