Twenty-five years after the annulment of the presidential election in 1993, the Federal Government has decided to recognize June 12 as Democracy Day.

In a press statement personally signed by President Buhari, he said the decision was reached after due consultations

The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari reverses the commemoration of Democracy Day on 29th of May, which had been observed over the past eighteen years since the advent of the current democratic dispensation.

President Buhari said his Administration shared the views of Nigerians that June 12th, 1993 was far more symbolic of democracy in Nigeria than May 29th or even October 1st.

The President noted that June 12th was the day when Nigerians in their millions expressed their democratic will in what was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since the country gained independence.

He said the fact that the outcome of that election was not upheld by the then military government does not distract from the democratic credentials of the process.

President Muhammadu Buhari further announced the decision by his administration to award posthumously the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, on late Chief MKO Abiola, who was presumed to have won the June 12th presidential election in 1993.

President Buhari also said Chief Abiola’s running-mate, Ambassador Baba-Gana Kingibe, will be conferred with the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON.

In the same manner; the President further resolved to confer posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger on foremost human rights advocate, late Gani Fawahinmi for his role in the fight to actualise the June 12th election.

The Presidential statement further noted that the investiture ceremony for the awardees would take place on Tuesday next week, being June 12th, in commemoration of the historic election twenty-five years ago.