FG approves June 12 as Democracy day, Cancels May 29

President Muhammadu Buhari has announced June 12 as the new date which Democracy Day will be celebrated in Nigeria.

Buhari in a statement also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on the presumed winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, Moshood Abiola.

Read the full statement below:

Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.

“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola.

“In the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12, 1993, was and is far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, or even October 1,” his tweet read.

“Chief Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe, is also to be awarded a GCON.

“Furthermore, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, a tireless fighter for human rights and democracy, and for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 elections, will be posthumously awarded a GCON.”