Nigeria Democracy Day will now be celebrated on June 12

MKO Abiola

President Muhammad Buhari of Federal Republic of Nigeria has changed the date of Democracy Day. "Democracy day" which used to be celebrated on May 29 will now be celebrated, June 12.

Buhari explained why his administration chose June 12 in a personal statement he signed yesterday.

"The late Abiola died while struggling to actualise the mandate. Consequently, the late Abiola will be conferred with the nation's honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, exclusively conferred on the holders of the highest office in the country, the president."

"In the same vein, Kingibe is be conferred with the second highest honour, GCON, also to receive a GCON is Fawehinmi."

"For the past 19 years, Nigerians have been celebrating May 29 as Democracy Day, that was the date for the second time in our history, an elected civilian administration took over from a military government."

"The first time this happened was on October 1, 1979. But in the view of Nigerians, as shared by this administration, June 12, 1993, was far more symbolic in the Nigerian context than May 29 or even October 1."

"June 12, 1993  was the day when Nigerians, in millions expressed their Democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and the most peaceful elections since our independence. The fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld then by the military government those not detract from the Democratic credentials of that process."