Just In: Senate Approves Buhari’s Decision On June 12 As Democracy Day, Urges INEC To Declare Result Of 1993 Election

Nigeria Senate Applauds Buhari On June 12 Declaration

The Nigerian Senate has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to formally recognize late Chief MKO Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as winners of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which was annulled by the military government of Ibrahim Babangida.

Naija News also learnt that the Senate resolved that both winners, Chief MKO and Kingibe be recognized as both President and Vice President elect respectively. The resolution further directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to as a matter of necessity declare the results of the June 12 presidential election.

Also resolved by the Upper Legislative Chamber is the need to pay all outstanding arrears of salaries and allowances due to holders of their elected offices, to their families. The Senate however insisted that May 29 remains the day of inauguration of newly elected officers of the country.

Senate resolves to:
1. Announce the results of the elections;

2. Ensure that all allowances and entitlements to the families of Chief M.K.O Abiola and Prof. Baba Gana Kingibe be made available to them;

3. Declare June 12 a public holiday; and

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 7, 2018

4. 29th May should remain the day for the inauguration of newly elected officers (President and all Government officials).#TodayInSenatePlenary

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) June 7, 2018

The request comes one day after President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 to replace May 29 as Democracy Day, in honour of late MKO Abiola – the presumed winner of the election.

President Buhari had explained that June 12 was more symbolic than May 29 and also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on the late businessman.