Democracy Day: Femi Falana Reacts Over Buhari’s Declaration

A Nigerian human right activist and lawyer, Femi Falana has joined in the train of conversations ensuing after President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 the new Democracy Day in the place of the old May 29.

He said the president has just put an end to the hypocrisy of May 29 which was proclaimed by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime.

Acknowledging the conferment of Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) the post humous award of national award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON), Falana also said the federal government has officially endorsed his enormous contributions to the titanic battle against military dictatorship and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.

“The Muhammadu Buhari administration made history today by conferring the post humous national award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR)  on Chief M. K. O. Abiola, the acclaimed of the June 12, 1993 presidential election for his huge contribution to the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria,” the statement read.

“By declaring June 12 Democracy Day the federal government has officially validated the integrity of the fair and free election that was criminally annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida junta.

“By recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day the federal government has put an end to the hypocrisy of May 29 which was proclaimed by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime.  By confering the post humous award of national award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) on Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN the federal government has officially endorsed his enormous contributions to the titanic battle against military dictatorship and promotion of human rights in Nigeria.

The human rights lawyer however called on the government to adopt Abiola’s welfare programme to tackle poverty.

“In addition to the historic gesture the federal government should proceed to adopt chief Abiola’s programme of welfare to poverty and respect the human rights of all Nigerians which Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN championed and defended in his life time.

“In particular, the federal government should mark the first national democracy day on June 12, 2018 with the release of all citizens  who are being detained illegally all over the country and immediate compliance with all valid and subsisting court orders.”

The lawyer called on the government to equally honour Kudirat Abiola who was assassinated while defending her husband’s mandate.