President Muhammadu Buhari says the
honour given to late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993
presidential election, is not meant to “open old wounds”.
At an event on Tuesday, Buhari
conferred Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), in
hour of the late democrat.
He also conferred Babagana
Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate in the election, and Gani Fawehinmi, late human
rights activist, with the Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON).
The result of the presidential
election was annulled by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida before
they were announced.
Addressing the gathering at the
investiture which held in Abuja, Bubari also apologised to Abiola’s family for
the decision of the then government to annul the result of the election.
“The government (of Ibrahim
Babangida) inexplicably cancelled the election when it was clear who was the
winner,” he said.
“On behalf of the federal
government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of late MKO Abiola, who
got the highest vote [in the election], and to those that lost their loved ones
in the course of the June 12 struggle.
“This event is not to open old
wounds, but to put light on the nation.”
He said even though the country
cannot rewind its past, “we can at least assuage our feelings, recognise that a
wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and ease the future for
the sanctity of free elections.”
“Nigerians will no longer
tolerate such perversion of justice. This retrospective and posthumous
recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous
injury done to the peace and unity of our country,” he added.
Abiola’s honour had generated
missed reactions among Nigerians, especially at the national assembly.
Some lawmakers had said both the
investiture and the June 12 public holiday is unconstitutional, while others
said it is well deserved.
But Femi Falana, human rights
activist and senior lawyer, faulted those kicking against the investiture,
saying Buhari could honour any Nigerian “dead or alive”.
Chai the Yorubas' can easily be deceived, what a pity! just because of the coming of election, but i for one will never never never vote for Buhari even if he go into their grave and honour them their because this is pure coney man die coney man buried am
ReplyDeletewhat some of us are seeing some of us are not seeing it, majority knows where Buhari is going because election is just at the corner, well the destiny of the yorubas is in their own hands therefore, it is left for them to follow who is leading them to the pit!
ReplyDeleteThis is not hatred but a true heart talk, because Buhari regime brought sorrow and not laughter
ReplyDelete