APC members
The United Kingdom chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 as Democracy Day to attain political level forward of 2019 elections.
The chapter was reacting to claims by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Buhari was determined to win subsequent 12 months’s election and therefore his declaration of the day to honour the late MKO Abiola.
Leader of the party within the UK, Ade Omole, says the popularity of June 12 was lengthy overdue.
Omole acknowledged that it was solely a President with a massive coronary heart that would take such a resolution.
He lauded the president for the choice to posthumously confer the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) honour on late Chief MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Buhari had on his twitter deal with, mentioned, ”After due consultations, the Federal Government has determined that henceforth, June 12 can be celebrated because the Democracy Day.
”Therefore, authorities has determined to award posthumously, the very best honour of the land, GCFR to late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 cancelled election.
”The working mate, Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe, can be to be honoured with a Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).”
Abiola, who contested the June 12 presidential election on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeated his opponent, Bashir Tofa, of the then National Republican Convention (NRC).
The election was mentioned to be Nigeria’s freest and fairest by nationwide and worldwide observers, with Abiola a Southern Muslim, profitable even in Kano, his opponent’s dwelling state and most states of the federation.
But the election was annulled by then Military President, Ibrahim Babaginda, two weeks after the ballot.
It was a growth that brought about political disaster which led to late General Sani Abacha seizing energy.
In 1994, Abiola introduced himself because the lawful President of Nigeria and was afterwards declared needed and subsequently arrested on a cost of treasonable felony.
He died on 7 July, 1998, whereas being detained by the army authorities below Abacha.