MKO Abiola: The Dead Cannot Be Awarded GCFR, Melaye Tells Buhari

Lawmaker representing Kogi West senatorial district, Dino Melaye, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has breached the Nigerian constitution by conferring the honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late presumed winner of the June 12 1993 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola.

Buhari, yesterday, directed the honour be conferred on Mr Abiola, stating that henceforth, democracy will be celebrated on June 12 as against May 29.

The president also directed Abiola’s running mate, Babagana Kingibe, be conferred with the second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON).

Melaye Cited Chapter 43(2) of the National Honours Act on Thursday, which states that “a person shall be eligible for appointment to any rank or holder unless he is a citizen of Nigeria.

“A dead man is not a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We should not be emotional about this. The law remains the law,” he further quoted.

He said, “I am a democrat, I believe very sincerely that Chief M.K.O Abiola deserve even more than the president has pronounced because he is a true patriot, philanthropist and should be so decorated.

“But Mr. President, we are governed in the country by the constitution and extant laws. No matter how beautiful a situation is, the law of the land remains the law of the land.”

Melaye also argued that the act provides that such honour be conferred on the recipient in person and since Abiola is dead, he cannot receive the award.

“Subject to the next notice, a person shall be appointed to a particular rank of an order when the president receives him in person.

“Mr. President, they said in person for us to do what we are supposed to do, we would have to amend the provisions of this act because anything we need to do, we have to do in accordance with the provisions of the law.”