The candidate of the National
Republican Convention (NRC) in the June 12, 1993 election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa,
has objected to President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to declare the day as
Nigeria’s new Democracy Day.
He asked Buhari to reconsider the
decision and claimed that conferment of national honour on anyone, should be
beyond some cold political calculations.
Tofa, who finished second behind
Abiola, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the election,
said in a a statement that although he had been inundated with calls on why he
was not listed for honour, it was not the most important thing to him.
“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 12th 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.
“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.”
“However, as I have reiterated
many times in the past, I am grateful to the numerous Nigerians from across the
length and breadth of the country who made enormous sacrifices in the National
Republican Convention (NRC) as well as the millions of our citizens who voted
for both the late Abiola and myself in that historic election.
“Much more importantly, I am most
grateful to Almighty God for the several honours He has bestowed on me; all of
which have enriched my life.
“As for my friend, M. K. O.
Abiola, what he needs most is our sincere prayers for Allah’s mercy and the
gift of Paradise for him. While some of us cherish his memory as a departed
friend and compatriot, there are many who will continue to exploit it and to
glory in it for their own benefits.
“For those who may have forgotten
or never knew, the late Abiola was a close personal friend of mine, a
relationship dating back to the Second Republic when I was the National
Financial Secretary of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and he
was the Ogun State Chairman of the party. So, I do not in any way begrudge him
the post-humous honour, even when I insist that the right thing must be done at
all times.
“Meanwhile, 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.
“Finally, like all, I am also travelling on
the path prepared for me by God Almighty. He controls my destiny and I pray He
will continue to favour and to guide me. All power belongs to Him alone. He
gives it to whom He pleases and He has power over all things, including every
ambition,” Tofa said in a statement.
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