By Salihu Lukman
These are interesting times. Since Wednesday, June 6, 2018, with the official declaration of June 12 as the Democracy Day by President Muhammadu Buhari, there have been very fascinating reactions from a broad section of Nigerians. Predominantly, it has been very positive and for the first time in a very long while, many Nigerians are proudly able to agree with our government. Without doubt, that declaration was a master stroke. If you ask me, it is a defining landmark proclamation of the Fourth Republic.
As we approach the 2019 general elections, we need more of such proclamations. I have high hopes that with our party’s (APC) National Convention coming up on June 23 and a new leadership about to emerge, the new spirit of June 12, which is about justice and national reconciliation will refine our politics both as a nation and internally in the party.
As a nation, since the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections, all political actions suffered the June 12 collateral impairment and with it further undermined the legitimacy of almost all governments, notwithstanding the claims of having emerged through elections. Compounded by the facts of electoral malpractices, we have as a nation lived in cumulative anger and deep animosity against virtually all governments. The decision by President Buhari therefore to proclaim June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day is very reassuring and to say the least will begin a national healing process.
Coming with the conferment of the highest national honour on Chief MKO Abiola, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), there cannot be better ways to recognize the electoral victory of MKO and confer him with a status of President. Interestingly, there are so many commentaries and further demands, partly because the conferment of national honour was also extended to Alh. Babagana Kingibe, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and some other activists.
With reference to the sacrifice made by Chief MKO and Chief Gani in the struggle for democracy in the country, certainly Alh. Kingibe would have been disqualified. Given where we are coming from, my instinct is to ignore the fact that Alh. Kingibe is on that list and celebrate the fact that we are alive to witness this new reality. I would have similarly wished that Chief MKO, Chief Gani and many of our activists who courageously stood on the side of history and justice at those inauspicious moments are alive to witness this new dawn.
Somehow public commentaries are dominated by loud claims of those who should be on the list. Clearly, the predominant position is that the list should be expanded to include many other activists. I am tempted to argue that as much as it is true that the list is very narrow, Nigerians must also recognize that many leaders of the pro-democracy movement of the 1990s, offered themselves selflessly without any expectation. It was part of our commitment to contribute to building a free and just nation that we can all proudly associate with.
Sincerely, I will argue that the award to Chief MKO and Chief Gani should cover all those who genuinely and honestly led the fight for the June 12 actualization. If it has to be expanded, Mr. Alao Aka-Bashorun, Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and Mr. Chima Ubani should be the consideration. Any claim beyond that risk devaluing the honour’s list. If Gani, Aka-Bashorun and Chima were to be alive today, I am sure their concern will not be about the National Honour but what happens after this proclamation. Many of the people making the claims of being on the list would only be doing so for opportunistic reasons. True leaders don’t look for recognition or reward!
I am confident that President Buhari will complete the work by ensuring that the proclamation of June 12 as our Democracy Day usher in a new era of enduring national reconciliation.
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