A host of Nigerian politicians have reacted to President Buhari’s decision to declare the 12th of June as an honorary Democracy day, in memorial of the June 12 1993 elections.

Mr. Bashir Tofa, the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 presidential election, avoided making a direct comment on the matter by saying: “May God help Nigeria.”

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, a lawmaker from Abia state, reacted by saying December 31 should be declared as “democracy destruction day” because that was the day the Buhari’s military government ousted ex-President Shehu Shagari in a coup.

The Nigerian Senate reacted by urging the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to announce the results of the June 12 presidential election in honor of the late M.K.O Abiola. They also demanded that all entitlements of Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the election, should be paid to his family.

On the other hand, the House of Representatives experienced some sort of rowdy session when a lawmaker kicked against the honor given to the late M.K.O Abiola by President Buhari’s administration. The protestant lawmaker, Mr. Nicholas Ossai from Delta state said: “This honour is to be given to the president or former presidents who are still alive. Two weeks ago, we celebrated our great feat as a nation our Democracy Day. The executive never thought it wise to declare it on that day. What is the difference between now and one week ago, it is an act of discrimination.”

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