‘MKO Deserves It:’ Nigerians Praise Buhari For Announcing June 12 Democracy Day

Many Nigerians on Wednesday expressed great excitement on the announcement  of June 12 as the new Democracy day in honour of Chief Moshood Abiola.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who made the announcement, noted that June 12 is a date which is more symbolic than May 29 or even October 1. He also conferred a posthumous GCFR award on MKO Abiola.

In various tweets, many Nigerians described the declaration as a historic feat and a dream come true. They also believed that this is a step towards fostering peace and unity in Nigeria, adding that the June 12, 1993 election was one which Nigerians massively voted in fairness.

The President in his announcement on Wednesday also noted that June 12, 1993, election was the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since Nigeria’s Independence.

See tweets below…

Thank you @MBuhari for doing what is right and just. June 12 should have been our Democracy Day all along. God bless you. Thank you for this one.

— Dr. Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) June 6, 2018

 

Many of the people criticizing the naming of JUNE 12 as DEMOCRACY DAY, in replacement of MAY 29 were once clamoring for it.

Buhari did it & the foster children of sorrow suddenly lost their sanity. You can’t hate your country, bcus you despise a leader.
MKO Abiola deserves it!

— Ayanbisi Temitope. A (@Dr_Aphiz) June 6, 2018

I retweeted Buhari’s tweet cheerfully and proudly for the first time in a long time. He terminated the age-long conspiracy to twist our political history by those who imposed an artificial democracy day that only fits well in Obasanjo’s autobiography

— Abimbola (@beambini) June 6, 2018

There was always a quest to make June 12 Democracy Day. The likes of Ogbeni Aregbesola pushed for that. So, surely, it is a welcome development. More important IMO than the GCON. I didn’t read the Kingibe part. That’s his business.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) June 6, 2018

The real democracy day at last when Nigerians were just citizens not Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo.

— Haruna Muazu (@harunamuazu) June 6, 2018

Gani Fawehinmi to receive posthumous honour alongside Abiola and Kingibe on June 12, our new Democracy Day as announced by the federal government today. This is a commendable recognition.

— Gimba Kakanda (@gimbakakanda) June 6, 2018

Beyond celebration of democracy, this is a celebration of struggle and sacrifice for the collective good. Thank you, President @MBuharipic.twitter.com/RSTtkbRn9b

— Nuhu Ribadu (@NuhuRibadu) June 6, 2018

Declaring June 12 as Democracy Day has always been the right thing to do. Chief MKO Abiola sacrificed it all for the Democracy we are currently practicing in this country. He was voted for by all. This feat is for us all, not Yorubas alone.

— Bhadmus Hakeem (@Bhadoosky) June 6, 2018

MASTERSTROKE!
June 12, now Democracy Day in Nigeria!
MKO Posthumously awarded GCFR
The highest honour in the land.
This is PMB

— Lagosian (@pinkeezee007) June 6, 2018

Few others, however, expressed mixed reaction as they described President Buhari’s action as politically motivated even as the 2019 elections is just around the corner.

See tweets below…

Some might say this is politics and Buhari is trying to pacify the Yorubas. I honestly don’t care. June 12 should have been our Democracy Day all along. This move is fantastic and must be commended. Well done Buhari ??

— Dr. Dipo Awojide (@OgbeniDipo) June 6, 2018

 

Declaring June 12 as democracy day in honour of late MKO is a commendable one albeit it doesn’t put food on my table or change the economy of Nigeria but it’s /he’s part of our history. …note of warning : DON’T BE FOOLED YORUBA! !YORUBA ROONU O

— JustMe! (@ogunrinolamicha) June 6, 2018

Declaring June 12 as New Democracy Day, I laughed because it really shows how desperate politicians are in Nigeria!!!

Why did he not declare it immediately he came in?

2019 on our minds#Ourmumudondo #heartofmeniswicked

 

— BenSino (@virtuossino) June 6, 2018

The president did the right thing but the timing of changing June 12 to democracy day might be politically motivated.

— ibrahim husain (@husnain360) June 6, 2018

Some added humour to their opinion with hilarious reactions. They also took a swipe at Former President Olusegun Obasanjo with funny memes.

See tweets below…

In The News:

FG replaces May 29th with June 12th as Democracy Day, confers highest honour of the land (GCFR) to late Chief M.K.O Abiola

OBJ: pic.twitter.com/FCzr16Tuhc

— Jack Obinyan-Buhari (@JackObinyan) June 6, 2018

Olusegun Obasanjo right now when he heard June 12 he so hated is now a National Holiday replacing his May 29 “Democracy Day”pic.twitter.com/rJWHHJ08CN

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) June 6, 2018

With this Democracy Day announcement @MBuhari whipped both OBJ and IBB in the behind pic.twitter.com/TKJPiCmBOG

— Odion Aleobua (@odionmatics) June 6, 2018