- No, President’s action was for 2019 – OBJ’s aide
- IBB keeps mum; Akinjide, Ozekhome, others react
Last week’s official recognition given to June 12 as Democracy Day by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has attracted different reactions across the country.
The President, in an official statement venerated June 12 and said it would replace May 29 as Democracy Day and that the late Abiola would be posthumously honoured with a GCFR highest honour, while his running mate at the period, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, would be conferred with a GCON.
In its reaction the immediate family of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the annulled June 12 19193 presidential election, expressed its appreciation to Buhari, describing him as a President that cared.
But former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is currently on ‘war path’ with Buhari, is unimpressed, as one of his aides described the President’s action as an attempt to score cheap popularity, ahead of the 2019 presidential election.
Meanwhile, former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) who annulled the poll, also refused to pass any comment, same with all of his aides.
As millions of Nigerians are basking in the euphoria of the gestures and commending Buhari over the development, the family of the late Abiola also seized the moment to appreciate the President.
Jamiu Abiola: The (June 12) election had come and had gone, and the results had been declared by the election umpire, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, in his book. So, my father was the President. It was just the mischievous act of some people that led to this action (annulment). This case is not a case to be negotiated
One of the sons of the late politician/mogul, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola, told our correspondent that the decision to recognise the struggle his father died for, had shown Buhari’s true leadership skill.
He said, “The President is a real builder and he knows what and who is worth to be given. This is called responsible leadership, that most Nigerian leaders lack. Buhari has shown that he is actually someone that can be trusted with leadership, someone that is caring and by the special grace of God, all the challenges he has in this country will be removed. God will help him because he is someone that deserves the help of God.”
Reacting to opinions from critics that the action was for political reasons, he said that the case of his father was not a negotiable issue, as his late father is worth the award given to him.
He said this kind of a thing was unprecedented in the history of the country.
“When it comes to these things, different people have their opinions. The truth of the matter is that, the President of Nigeria has the right to give an award, especially on the fact that this particular circumstance is quite peculiar, and is one that touches on our common value as a nation. Buhari has lain a good precedent.
“There has never been an election in this country that has been cancelled by anybody and the man in charge of the electoral commission made a book and declared all the results of the election. So based on those facts, the election had come and had gone, and the results had been declared by the election umpire, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, in his book.
“So, my father was the President. It was just the mischievous act of some people that led to this action. This case is not a case to be negotiated; if it is something else, then we would talk about it, but this is a different case that should be taken seriously,” Jamiu explained
ACTION MEANT FOR 2019 ELECTION – OBJ’S AIDE
Meanwile, despite the fact that former President Obasanjo is yet to comment on the development, one of his aides, Mr. Akin Osuntokun, has said that it was glaring that 2019 election was the motive behind Buhari’s declaration on June 12.
Osuntokun who though applauded Buhari, said the move was a show of political desperation.
“It is good and it is appropriate, the man deserves recognition. I can tell you that the motive of this declaration is geared towards 2019 election.
“The way it was done, the timing and the person who did it make it a question whether this decision was made in good fate or not. As for me, I believe he has done a good thing, as nobody has done it before, ever since the government of Abacha.
“Buhari was serving in the (Abacha) government when Abiola was imprisoned and when he was interviewed, he didn’t have sympathy. Now, he has been here for the past three years but he didn’t do anything, and now, we have an election coming up soon, and so you can read in-between the lines. Well, it is a smart political move and also a reflection of political desperation.
“This shows that it is all directed at the 2019 election and of course, I don’t think that the Yorubas are that cheap. This is a cheap political desperation; I don’t think it will affect the political perspective in the South-West but it is good to recognize the icon,” Osuntokun appraised.
BUHARI HAS MADE HISTORY-AKINJIDE
In his view, Chief Richard Akinjide said President Buhari was able to make history that several past presidents failed to achieve. He commended the President, adding that the whole world would celebrate him for doing what is right at a time the unity of the country was dwindling.
“The presentation of the award to MKO is very good and the whole world should celebrate it. Declaration of June 12 as a Democracy Day is something I am in support of. He has done what other couldn’t do. The world will celebrate him for doing the right thing.”
IT IS DECEPTIVE, SAYS ADEBANJO
But one of the leaders of Afenifere, a pan-Yoruba group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, carpeted Buhari on the development.
“The President cannot deceive anybody by declaring June 12 as a Democracy Day. He has been in power for three years and he didn’t realise this day was to be a public holiday. Is it now that he wants to contest an election that he is doing such a thing? He cannot fool anybody by that. If he wants to declare June 12, he should go ahead. He should restructure the country so it can be in shape. Award given to him (Abiola) should only be awarded to the living; you can only make a monument of him, not presenting an award in
his name.
AFEGBUA: MUM IS THE WORD
However, the spokesperson of General Babangida, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, refused to comment on the issue when our correspondent contacted him on
phone.
Afegbua said he couldn’t utter a word as his boss was yet to direct him.
“I don’t have any comment now. I don’t have the mandate of my boss to do so for now. If I am speaking, I will be speaking on behalf of my boss. I will not say anything that will reflect his
name.”
A RIGHT DECISION, SAYS OZEKHOME
Meanwhile, civil rights lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has argued that Buhari’s decision was not political.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, for declaring June 12 Nigeria’s Democracy Day and honouring Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and my late mentor, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, with the highest and second highest honours in Nigeria is commendable.
“To me, it is not the right argument that PMB did it for political reasons. Yes, he may very well have done it to shore up his battered political image and fast dwindling democratic credentials. But, the inescapable fact is that, he has done the right thing for which history will remember him. This is the more reason I believe he should retire quietly to his Daura home, having done one great thing for which he would be remembered,” Ozekhome said.
