It appears that the political injustice which was committed in Nigeria twenty-five years ago has come home to roost. President Muhammadu Buhari has tendered an apology to the family of the presumed winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, Moshood Abiola, for his struggles to get the result of the election validated. This was the hallmark of the preamble at the Presidential Villa last Tuesday, during the Special National Honour Investiture ceremony in which Chief Abiola was posthumously conferred with the highest national honor of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR.
In the words of the President, “We cannot rewind the past but 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.”
The Nigerian leader had earlier announced the conferment of the title of GCFR, on Chief Abiola while his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, and the late human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi, would get the second highest national honour of GCON. Furthermore, he said June 12 will henceforth replace May 29 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and be observed as a public holiday.
As to be expected, the decision sparked heated arguments across the nation. While some people saw it as a political measure, others felt it was a well deserved honour. The Senate threw a spanner in the works by asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to formally announce the results of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.
It also asked the presidency to ensure the payment of all entitlements to Chief Abiola and Babagana Kingibe, pursuant to the awards.
