Fayose to FG: Declare Abiola winner of June 12 poll

The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, on Thursday commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his recognition of late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election and conferring on him the title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic.

Fayose however urged the President to go a step further by declaring Abiola winner of the poll and President-elect, adding that only then would the title so conferred have constitutional backing.

Fayose, who made the remarks at a press briefing at the Government House in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on Thursday said: “The honour done to Late Moshood Olawale Abiola  (MKO) by President Mohammadu Buhari is a welcome development. We thank the President, even though we know it is for political reasons, we see it as a step in the right direction.

“We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to go to the next level and declare MKO the President of Nigeria because MKO won the election, but the then dictator, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, denied Nigerians that victory and the opportunity to have Abiola as our President.

“Having realized that they goofed, they have come out to right the wrong. Besides, you can’t keep such title of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic  of Nigeria (GCFR) without being the President of Nigeria, therefore the president should be courageous enough by declaring the results of the election and declare Abiola the winner of the June 12 poll. This is a lesson that what you do today will be reference point for others tomorrow.

“We condemn the annulment of the June12 Presidential poll results, brutality of Nigerians who protested against it, election rigging, brute force and manipulations during elections.”