President Muhammadu Buhari has changed the nation’s Democracy Day from May 29 to June 12.
Buhari in a release also announced that MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled election, will be posthumously awarded the highest honour in the nation, GCFR.
Baba Gana Kingibe, Abiola’s Vice Presidential candidate in the June 12, 1993 election will also be conferred with a national honour.
The President stated in his statement:
“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 the late Chief MKO Abiola.
“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.
“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 actualization of the June 12, 1993 elections, will be posthumously awarded a GCON,” he said.
