- Says, GCFR Not for the Dead But the Living
- June 12: Buhari Has Done What Previous Govts Failed To Do – Ambode
By Abdul Alli
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Alfa Belgore says award of posthumous GCFR to late politician, MKO Abiola is illegal
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore has said that the national honour President Muhammadu Buhari conferred on late Moshood Abiola is illegal.
Belgore said that the national honour cannot be given to dead people, adding that only soldiers can be given posthumous medals for their bravely.
The President had on Wednesday, June 6, awarded a posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 election.
Buhari also declared June 12 as the new Democracy Day instead of May 29, saying June 12 is a more symbolic day.
But Belgore, a retired judge, in an interview with Journalists on Wednesday said a national honour cannot be given to a dead person, “much less the GCFR”, which is the highest honour in the land.
“It is not done… it is for people living”, the retired judge was quoted as saying.
“The only thing they could do is to name a place after him, but national honours award, no.”
Belgore, who chaired the 2016 national honours committee, under the 1963 National Honours Act, only soldiers or other servicemen can be awarded posthumous medals for their bravery.
According to him, Buhari did not consult him before taking the step.
The President also honoured Abiola’s running mate in the 1993 election, Baba Gana Kingibe, and the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi with the GCON title.
Buhari said the commemoration and investiture would take place on June 12, 2018.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari decision for declaring June 12 as the New Democracy Day.
He gave the commendation on Wednesday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna.
President Buhari had made the announcement in honour of the late presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
Reacting to the announcement, Governor Ambode described the development as a historic and symbolic moment in the nation’s political trajectory.
He said, “This is a welcome development. It is a historic moment in our nation and I join other Nigerians to commend President Buhari on this announcement.
“By this move, he has done what previous administrations failed to do,” the governor added.
He noted that the President’s action has shown that he is a man of history and character.
Ambode also said such development has given a hope to the heroes of democracy as it confirms that they did not die in vain.
President Buhari had taken to Twitter to make the declaration on Wednesday, six days to the historic day.
Apart from the announcement, he had also conferred a posthumous GCFR title on Abiola, explaining that June 12 will replace May 29 as the Democracy Day because it is more symbolic.
President Buhari’s tweets read, “Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Government has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day.
“We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to Chief MKO Abiola.
“In the view of Nigerians, as shared by this Administration, June 12, 1993, was and is far more symbolic of Democracy in the Nigerian context than May 29, or even October 1.”