June 12: Buhari Apologises To Abiola’s Family

President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to the family of the the late Chief Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Speaking on Tuesday while conferring the title, Grand Commander Of the Federal Republic on Abiola, the President also apologized to families who lost loved ones in the aftermath of the annulment of the election.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of late MKO Abiola, who got the highest vote [in the election], and to those that lost their loved ones in the course of the June 12 struggle.”

On behalf of the Federal Government, I tender the nation’s apology to the family of the Late MKO Abiola, who got the highest votes in the June 12, 1993 election; and to all those who lost their loved ones in the cause of the June 12 struggle.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) June 12, 2018

Buhari said the ceremony was not intended to open old wounds, but to “right the wrongs of the past.”

The President said it is important for Nigerians to accept the decision “in good faith” and help the nation move forward.

“We cannot rewind the past but we can at least assuage our feelings, recognise that a wrong has been committed and resolve to stand firm now and ease the future for the sanctity of free elections,” he said.

“Nigerians will no longer tolerate such perversion of justice. This retrospective and posthumous recognition is only a symbolic token of redress and recompense for the grievous injury done to the peace and unity of our country.”

At the event, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, the late Chief Gani Fawenhinmi was also conferred with the title of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and likewise Alhaji Babagana Kingibe.

Recall that on that day, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida administration had annulled indisputably Nigeria’s freest and fairest election in the nation’s history believed then to have been won by Abiola.

As a result of his fight for justice, military President General Sani Abacha jailed Abiola in 1994 after he declared himself the lawful president of Nigeria.

Despite calls in Nigeria and abroad for his release, he was not released from prison and died incarcerated on July 7, 1998.