For those who have forgotten or never knew what Bashorun M.K.O Abiola stood for, he was arguably the political icon that fought relentlessly for the democracy we enjoy today, against the then tyrannical military government!..Since the posthumous confernment of GCFR had been announced on Abiola and his then running mate Baba Gana kingibe there's been a stir of controversy!....
As of Baba gana kingibe am not too happy about his conferment of Gcon because last two weeks he openly praised the late Gen. Sani Abacha the head of state whose loot is still been returned back to the country till tomorrow. That aside he was alleged to have betrayed Abiola and also behind the death of his wife, Kudirat.
Most people especially political pundits called it a game, the main opposition said it was a sign of political desperation, these set believed strongly that the President made this move solely for promotion of Self. I for one believed this is the long awaited big boost and acknowledgement in the chapter of Nigeria's democracy. These people are not seeing the bigger picture that this declaration is not just for Abiola but also for the unsung heroes that lost their lives during the June 12 elections.
To honor him government functionaries should reorganize or initiate the political structure of Nigeria so as to continue the legacies of ideal democracy against ethnic bigotry and religious violence that he started. So those unleashing these reactions saying the president is trying to play on the intelligence of Nigerians with trickery just for the next elections, as far as am concerned are just a storm in a tea cup. They should not see the conferment of Gcfr on Abiola tomorrow as a stunt, but a move in the right direction that will set the vehicle of our democracy in the right direction.
The legal icon, Gani fawehinmi on the other hand was the father of all, I believe he would have rejected the conferment like he did in 2008, because of the incessant killings by herdsmen, the present state of the economy and the outright disrespect of the rule of law by the executive and the reckless legislature, like abiola he would have openly advocated for the eradication of poverty.
Gani was arrested thirty two times between 1969 and 1998 leading to detention and trials, and his chambers at Anthony village raided by the then military government. His international passport was also seized more than fifteen times between 1996 and 1998.
So this declaration is not only coming at a good time, but will promote our democracy in good light to the outside world, it will also enable us to practice the true federalism which we all as Nigerians virtually clamor for.
Abiola’s legacy of ‘farewell to poverty’ I’m optimistic will also be supported by the crusade A.p.c Elder cheiftain Bola Tinubu has started.
Writer: Babatunde Modupe
Pic source: Goggle images
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