Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has, on behalf of his government, officially appologised to Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, for all the sufferings he was put through as a result of that election that was annulled by the then Military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida.
President Buhari also officially conferred the title of the title of GCFR to the winner of the presidential election of June 12, 1993, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. At the presentation of the awards by President Muhammadu Buhari, the senior son of MKO Abiola, Mr Kola Abiola received the award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).
Also, Hajia Ganiat Fawehinmi received the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) for her late husband, Chief Gani Fawehinmi while Ambassador Babagana Kingibe received his award of GCON).
Recall that Abiola had contested the election under the Social Democratic Party, SDP, and had won with an appreciable margin.
However, that election was annulled by General Babangida but Chief Abiola had insisted on his mandate, a fight that earned him a jail sentence.
Also, in 1994, while insisting he was the rightful winner of the election, Chief Abiola was however, thrown into jail by the military President, General Sani Abacha.
Chief Abiola died in prison on July 7, 1998 after Abacha refused to free him, despite calls from various quarters, including fron the Diaspora, that he be released.
However, Today Tuesday, June 12, 2018, President Buhari appologised to the Abiola’s after officially conferring the GCFR title on Abiola.
Among those present at the ceremony were the National leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Bola Tinubu who is one of the key players for the actualisation of the mandate.
Tinubu said, the annulment of June 12 1993 presidential election led to “bloodshed, serious division and disunity in Nigeria.’’
