Democracy Day will no longer be observed on May 29, the day the country returned to civil rule after many years of the military but rather on June 12.
President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday declared June 12 as the new Democracy Day.
June 12 was the day the election that should have brought the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola to power was annulled by military president, Ibrahim Babangida.
Buhari also honoured Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, with the highest national honour, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
On June 12, 1993 Nigerians voted the Abiola without recourse to religion, ethnicity or ideology.
In a letter Buhari personally signed on Wednesday, Baba Gana Kingibe, Abiola’s running mate and late human right lawyer and activist, Gami Fawehinmi were also awarded the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Wednesday hailed the announcement.
The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, lauded the President, saying that the development was a historic and symbolic moment in the nation’s political trajectory.
“This is a welcome development. It is a historic moment in our nation and I join other Nigerians to commend President Buhari on this announcement. By this move, he has done what previous administrations failed to do. This not only shows that the President is a man of history and character but also eloquently confirms that the heroes of democracy did not die in vain after all,” Governor Ambode said.
