Ololade Adeyanju/
President Muhammadu Buhari has received accolades from politicians and pro-democracy activists for declaring June 12 as the new Democracy Day and bestowing the highest national honour on the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola.
Buhari, on Wednesday, declared that June 12 will henceforth be celebrated as Democracy Day
He also conferred a posthumous national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola.
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of Women Arise for Change Initiative (WA), said: ”We accept these honors no matter how belated because we and other Nigerians have campaigned around these issues over the years.”
She added that June 12 could not be forgotten so fast by Nigerians because it was the day Nigerians freely elected a President in the freest and fairest election.
The rights activist prayed that the spirit of June 12 would take firm root in Nigeria future elections.
She said, “It is our wish that the essential spirit of June 12 takes firm root in our land with free and fair election and become a norm in our land.
“”From the Ekiti elections scheduled for July 14 and the general elections in 2019. That is the moment the spirits of Abiola and all martyrs of June 12 will forgive Nigeria.’’
Alhaji Balarabe Musa, National Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party and former governor of old Kaduna State, said Buhari’s action had given Nigerians renewed hope.
““President Buhari’s action with regards to declaration of June 12 as democracy day and award of the highest honour to late Chief MKO Abiola are relevant, just, courageous and patriotic.
““The actions give hope that President Buhari can do the right thing and correct wrongs before it’s too late for him and for the nation,’’ Musa said.
A retired Commissioner of Police (CP) also celebrated Buhari, as he expressed joy that he is alive to see heroes of the struggle honoured.
In a message to NewsmakersNG, CP Olayinka Balogun says: “MKO..June 12.. Democracy Day… GCFR… Kudi Abiola… Nadeco… Alagbon… Those Days… Ha !..I’m personally happy that I am alive to witness all these and now the Current Development ..Congratulations to all Freedom Fighters… Special Congratulations to Southwest… God bless President Buhari and his Team… Victory is Sweet after Struggle… May the Souls of all those that fell during the June 12 Wahala rest in Perfect Peace. May our beloved Nigeria never witness such tragedy again.
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