I won’t accept an award from the FG - Bashir Tofa who contested against Abiola protests

Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the 1993 presidential election, has protested the award given to the late MKO Abiola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the exercise.

This Day reports that Tofa also insisted that the election was inconclusive and thus, the federal government should reconsider its decision. He added that the conferment of a national honour on anyone should be beyond some cold political calculations.

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“Following the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to honour my late friend, Alhaji Mashood K. Abiola (may Allah grant him peace) and officially recognise him as the winner of the inconclusive 12 June 1993 presidential election in which I was a candidate, I have been inundated by calls from friends, well-wishers, former political associates and journalists.

“While some worry about the brazen one-sidedness of this curious presidential action, especially given the list of invitees to Tuesday’s event at the Villa supposedly to mark ‘democracy day’, there are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of GCFR, if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice.

“As much as I appreciate the goodwill, in this circumstance, however, I have to say that I would not accept it as it is, even if given.

“While I do not begrudge the president, his power to bestow favour on whomsoever he pleases, it is also important, especially for history, for all actions from the highest authority in the country to be based on fair play and law.

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“Needless to say, being one of the two presidential candidates in that election does not in any way define me or my achievements in life; it was not even the most important one.

“Whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new democracy day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations,” Tofa said.

Legit.ng earlier reported that a former external affairs minister and member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for awarding late Moshod Kashimawo Abiola.

Abiola is acclaimed to have won the June 12, 1993 presidential election seen as the freest and fairest in the country but which was annulled by a military junta.

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Source: Legit.ng