June 12: Extend president’s tenure by 2 weeks, Abiola’s kinsmen appeal to FG, NASS

KINSMEN of the late acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, from Gbagura section of Egbaland, has appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to extend the president’s tenure by two weeks.

They said that the extension became necessary to properly actualise the June 12, 1993, annulment date and immortalise Abiola.

The Agura of Gbagura, Oba Halidu Laloko, stated this while addressing newsmen, on Monday, at his palace the National Assembly should have a second look into their proposal.

Oba Laloko represented by the Balogun of Ojoo-Gbagura, Chief Adio Baiyewun, said the declaration by the government was “victory over injustice.”

Baiyewun added; “We see this as victory of truth over injustice, and as people of Gbagura and Ogun State at large, we are extremely glad that Mr President has finally done what is just and fair with the posthumous award of GCFR on late Abiola and the declaration of June 12 as proper Democracy Day and a Public Holiday in Nigeria.

“We equally applaud the National Assembly led by the Senate for directing the Independent National Electoral Commission to formally declare Chief MKO Abiola winner and as an Ex-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with all his entitlements fully paid.

“We also passionately request the National Assembly to take a second look at the President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposal on June 12 and demand that, for proper actualisation and immortalization of the date and Abiola, there is need to support Mr President on the need to replace the hitherto Public Holiday of May 29 and Celebration as well as Handover Day with June 12 since the date marks a watershed in the Nigerian political history.”

Also speaking, a member of Gbagura Council of Chiefs, Honourable Bode Mustapha, asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to send an executive Bill to the National Assembly for a constitutional backing of the new amendments to the President’s Handover Day and Democracy Day celebration.

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Mustapha who was a former member of the House of Representatives and also the Chairman, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), said the amendments could only happen if the President sends an Executive Bill to the National Assembly in order to make it a law of the land.

“What I think is important is for the President to send an Executive Bill to the National Assembly because it must be backed by law. Because of the separation of powers, between the Executive and the Legislature, we appeal to the President to forward an Executive Bill to the National Assembly, taking into cognizance of the circumstances that led to the annulment of the June 12 elections and the importance of that day and date in the watershed of the democracy of this nation.

“And conscientiously to treat this request when made by the Presidency during the life of this National Assembly. So as to heal wounds and to put to rest the matter. And the process will give restitution to the families of late Chief MKO Abiola who was the first Bobagunwa of Egbaland, a position which I have the opportunity to occupy today.

“He (President) should send the Bill to the National Assembly changing the Democracy Day. Once it has been sent to the National Assembly and it becomes law, it extends the tenure of the present government and the National Assembly only by a couple of days. And there will be no disparity again in the Democracy Day and Handover Date,” he added.