EditorialTHEWILL Editorial: The Presidential Honours On Abiola And The Declaration Of June...

THEWILL Editorial: The Presidential Honours On Abiola And The Declaration Of June 12 As Democracy Day

aiteo

SAN FRANCISCO, June 27, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s new Democracy Day, as against May 29, has been well received by lovers of democracy nationwide.

Honouring the deceased Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, honours and the president’s public apology to his family, has been adjudged as the most popular decision that this government has taken since its assumption of office in 2015.

Even though some critics have argued that the award was done for political gains, the official apology to his family and others who lost loved ones in the June 12 struggle was a courageous demonstration of the president’s statesmanly credential.

Glo

The declaration is a further vindication of the advocacy and struggle of human rights activists, civil society groups and the media, who for many years pursued the recognition of Abiola as winner of what is considered the freest and fairest election in modern Nigeria.

It is indeed heartwarming that after 25 years of the annulment of the election, the slogan: “On June 12, we stand,” has finally been actualized.

Like Buhari confirmed, Abiola “got the highest votes” and won the presidential election on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, PDP.

THEWILL therefore commends President Buhari for the closure and righting the wrong done Abiola and all those who trooped out on June 12, 1993 to cast their vote.

To all lovers of democracy, June 12 represents the time that the most credible, freest and fairest election was conducted in the history of Nigeria. There is no denying the fact that today’s democracy was built on the foundation laid by the June 12 poll.

However, beyond the euphoria of the pronouncement, it is important for politicians to learn from the exemplary leadership that Abiola impacted on politics and democracy. This is necessary for them to render positive service-delivery to the electorate, instead of the current self-centered attitude, which has instituted stealing and bad governance.

Against the backdrop of those who say that the GCFR honours conferred on Abiola lacked legitimacy, THEWILL urges the Federal Government to perfect every drawback, including adding June 12 into the National Holidays Act, so that it could be observed nationwide in 2019.

Awkward as it may sound, some have also implored Buhari to go a step further by declaring Abiola as an ex-president, and pay his entitlements to his family to permanently heal the wound of the unjust annulment and his death in then military government’s custody. This is not too big a request; considering that the GCFR honours is most often reserved for heads of state and presidents.

THEWILL however wants the president to go even further by officially recognizing and horouring some principal actors who died in the June 12 struggle, particularly the wife of the late hero, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, as well as other notable advocates, human rights activists and journalists who are still living.

Above all, THEWILL challenges the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to use the lessons of June 12 to reorder its conduct of elections, to ensure that they are credible, free and fair.

About the Author

Homepage | Recent Posts

More like this
Related

Bayelsa Journalists Call On Gov Douye Diri To Appoint Easterday As Commissioner

March 28, (THEWILL) - As Bayelsa State Governor,...

FAAN Shuts Down KFC Outlet At MMIA Over PRM Discrimination

March 28, (THEWILL) - The Federal Airports Authority...

FirstNews Editor Segun Olatunji Regains Freedom From DIA Custody

March 28, (THEWILL) - The Editor of FirstNews,...