From: Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, adopted a motion urging the Federal Government to honour the acclaimed winner of the June 12,1993 Presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola by conferring on him posthumously the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic ( GCFR).
The House said this would serve as a measure of recognition for his achievements, sacrifice and contributions to unity, progress and development of Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
The House also mandated its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure that the resolution is implemented and report back to the House in three weeks.
This was sequel to a motion moved at plenary by Hon. Sani Zoro, under matters of urgent public importance, requesting the federal government to bestow the highest national honour in the country on late Abiola.
The country’s highest national honour, GCFR, is usually conferred on heads of state and president.
However, that honour eluded Abiola as he was not sworn in as president, because the June 12, 1993 presidential election popularly adjudged the most free and fair election in the history of the country was annulled by military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida (retd).
Leading debate on the motion, Zoro said conferring the highest national honour on late Abiola, would motivate Nigerians to know that justice will always be served, no matter how long it takes.
The lawmaker argued that apart from winning the June 12, 1993, presidential poll by garnering eight million out the 14 million votes cast, Abiola also contributed to the political development of the country.
He added that it would not be a novelty to bestow the GCFR on someone who is not a president of the country, noting that former President Shehu Shagari had given the same honour to late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1983.
“I believe that that we should immortalise MKO Abiola by conferring on him the highest honor. Conferring the highest honour on an individual is not new. In 1983, Shagari conferred the honour on Awolowo,” he said.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Anayo Nnebe called for the declaration of June 12 of every year as Democracy Day in the country,stating that it was a day the most credible election in the country was held.
According to him, June 12 has more significance for the country’s democracy than May 29, which is presently celebrated as Democracy Day.
While supporting the request to immortalise the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Nnebe argued that although the GCFR is meant for Nigerian presidents and heads of state, the late Abiola was a president-elect.
“That award is meant for heads of state and presidents, Abiola was a president elect. But he was stopped from been sworn-in by the military cabal.
“The annulment of June12 is an act of irresponsibility and executive recklessness.
“I want to add that June 12 should be declared National holiday in this country. It is a national issue. It is not a South West issue, ” the lawmaker stated.