The Federal Government has invited prominent Nigerians to the conferment of the highest honour in the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, on the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Abiola is the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which was however annulled by the military government of President Ibrahim Babangida.
The election has been described as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria.
The event which will hold on June 12, will also witness the conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, on Abiola’s running mate during the 1993 presidential election, Babagana Kingibe, and human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
The invitation was extended to some carefully selected individuals representing the different groups that participated in the battle for the actualisation of the mandate Nigerians gave to Abiola.
Among them are Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana; Ayo Obe and Frank Kokori.
All Progressives Congress leader who was at the forefront of the June 12 battle, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Chief Bisi Akande; Bayo Onanuga; Kunle Ajibade, Nosa Igiebor and Kayode Komolafe also made the list.
Senator Janathan Zwingina, a prominent member of the June 12 campaign, and the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, among others were also invited.
The invitation was from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The statement reads:
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HONOURS JUNE 12 PRO-DEMOCRACY HEROES
Following the historic designation of June 12 as DEMOCRACY DAY and NATIONAL HOLIDAY, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, will confer Posthumous national honours on Chief M.K.O. Abiola as Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Chief Gani Fawehinmi as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). He will also decorate Ambassador Babagana Kingibe with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), at an investiture scheduled to take place as follows:-
DATE: Tuesday, June 12 2018
VENUE: Conference Hall, State House, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja
TIME: 10.00 am
- Accordingly, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, the family of the late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola and that of Chief Gani Fawehinmi, along with the underlisted key players of June 12 struggle are cordially invited: -Members of the National Executive Committee of the SDP including States Chairmen and Secretaries at the time of June 12, 1993
-Governors elected under SDP platform
Former Senate Presidents – Iyorchia Ayu and Ameh Ebute and Speaker Agunwa Anekwe along with Principal Officers of the National Assembly elected under SDP platform.
-Speakers of the States Assembly elected under SDP platform
-All Chairmen of the States Traditional Councils from the six South-Western States
- Also invited are Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Principal Officers of the National Assembly, Members of the Federal Executive Council and all State Governors.
- Accommodation has been reserved for all invitees at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Tafawa Balewa Way, area 11, Garki, Abuja from Monday, 11th June 2018. For further inquiries please contact William Alo, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by telephone on +234 803 585 4332.
- Invitation letters have been despatched. However, should the invitation arrive late, this publication serves as a formal invitation.
*Boss Mustapha
Secretary to the Government of the Federation.