BEVERLY HILLS, June 14, (THEWILL) – The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to posthumously confer the nation’s highest honour – the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, GCFR, – on the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola.
It stated that this honour should be bestowed on the late businessman
and philanthropist “for his unprecedented achievements, contributions and sacrifice to the unity, peace, progress and development of Nigeria, Africa and the world”.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion by Sani Zorro (APC, Jigawa) who stated that there were several reasons to justify Abiola’s immortalisation.
Noting that President Muhammadu Buhari enjoyed the same popularity in 2015 as Abiola did when he won the presidential poll in 1993, he urged Buhari to cash in on the opportunity to honour Abiola and leave a legacy that Nigerians would forever appreciate him (Buhari) for.
The former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists recalled that though Abiola won the election but was denied victory by “retrogressive forces in conspiracy with agents of destabilisation.” He argued that honouring Abiola was the only way the government could admit that his sacrifice for democracy was not in vain.
He also noted that Buhari could choose to be as magnanimous as former President Shehu Shagari, who conferred the GCFR on the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1979, despite their political differences.
According to Zorro, “We remember him today as always, as a true and great son of Nigeria, who touched lives more than any other person in his life, who contributed to the achievement of religious harmony by building bridges between faith organisations like nobody else, the humane boss, who employed Nigerians from all walks of life and treated them with affection and care as if they were members of his family, the man who championed the good cause of Africans for the exploitation and the heinous crime of slavery meted to them.
“It is sad though that despite these uncommon qualities, capped by his victory at the presidential election of June 12, 1993, but which was denied him by retrogressive forces in conspiracy with agents of destabilisation – that Nigerian authorities had never at any given time conferred a national honour on him, in his eventful life time or posthumously, despite the fact that many Nigerians and non-Nigerians of dubious value had continued to be decorated with such national honours year in, year out.
“There are abundant justifications to immortalise Abiola, to do that going by the event of June 12.
“Abiola and Buhari shared so much in common, even in popularity. While Abiola got eight million out from a total of 14 million votes, President Buhari got 15 million out of 28 million. That’s half of the total votes by the two.
“Justice can still be done, even 24 years after. It’s never too late.”
During the session, many members lashed out at former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), over his decision to cancel the June 12, 1993 presidential election that was adjudged to be the “freest and most credible” in the history of the country.
They also called for the recognition of June 12 as the actual Democracy Day in the country and not May 29.
One of the lawmakers, Mr. Anayo Nnebe, argued that whatever the reasons Babangida gave to explain his action were not justifiable.
Nnebe added, “Although IBB has given his reasons, as he spoke recently, the fact remains that he annulled a credible election.
“Abiola clearly won the election and he should have been sworn in as the President.
“No explanations can change the fact that the winner of an election was denied his victory.”
He added that the reasons was not unconnected with the fear in the military circles that Abiola, being a wealthy and influential personality, would be beyond the control of the military and other political interests.
Nnebe echoed the views of members that June 12 should be declared the “actual Democracy Day in Nigeria and not May 29.”
He added that it was unfortunate that only the South-West states gave June 12 adequate recognition.
Nnebe said June 12 should be observed as a “national” and “not regional” holiday in Nigeria.
Contributing to the debate, Wale Raji (APC, Lagos) said the greatest honour that can be bestowed on Abiola posthumously is to release the annulled result and declare him winner of the election.
Olufunke Adedoyin (APC, Kwara), who wondered what had changed about the long-held notion that Abiola should be immortalised, asked why the House has in times past rejected motions calling for the late politician to be officially recognised by the Federal Government.
“Abiola’s immense contributions to the nation should be recognized; he was a philanthropist with an Africa agenda,” she pointed out.
The Reps members passed the resolution in a majority voice vote during the plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.
