JUST IN: Buhari erases Obasanjo’s legacy, announces June 12 Democracy Day
The Federal Government has declared June 12 the offical Democracy Day henceforth.
The May 29 date, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared as Democracy Day in 1999, will no longer serve the purpose.
President Buhari says June 12 – the day Nigerians voted enmasse for the late MKO Abiola as president in 1993 – is more symbolic to Nigeria’s democracy.
The Democracy Day was celebrated only about a week ago, but with the new development, another celebration is right ahead.
A statement released by the President Wednesday evening read:
“Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Govt 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.
“Chief Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be awarded a GCON.
“Furthermore, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, tireless fighter for human rights & democracy, & for the actualization of the June 12, 1993 elections,will be posthumously awarded a GCON.
“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.
“June 12, 1993 was the day millions of Nigerians expressed their Democratic will in the freest, fairest & 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.”
Obasanjo had, shortly after getting voted as Nigeria’s democratic President 19 years ago, declared May 29 Democracy Day, in celebration of the country’s hard fought freedom from military shackles. The date also serves as the Inauguration Day for all president-elects.
