Why We Missed Abiola’s GCFR Investiture – IBB, Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, were absent at the conferment of the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on late Chief MKO Abiola on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari today bestowed the GCFR title on Abiola for his victory at the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Babangida, who was conspicuously absent at the event, had truncated Abiola’s dream of becoming president when he annulled the 1993 election which was deemed the fairest presidential election in Nigeria’s history.

In his letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Babangida sighted health grounds as the reason for his absence at the event.

On his part, Obasanjo lauded the Federal Government for its GCFR bestowal on late Abiola and his running, Baba Gana Kingibe, who received the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) alongside human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi.

The former president, however, said in his letter to the SGF that he couldn’t attend the investiture ceremony because he is out of the country.

Also conspicuously absent at the ceremony were Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara amongst others.