Chairman of the Presidential
Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has
spoken up on the national honour conferred on the late Chief Moshood Abiola and
Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN) by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari on Wednesday announced
that Democracy Day would be celebrated on June 12, rather than May 29, to
further honour Abiola’s memory even as he awarded Abiola the Grand Commander of
the Federal Republic (GCFR).
Also Gani Fawehinmi, a rights
advocate who died in 2009 was also posthumously conferred with the Grand
Commander of Nigeria (GCON).
But former Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore, kicked against the president’s move, noting that
the award of Nigeria’s highest national honour on the late Moshood Abiola was
illegal.
Belgore, who was Nigeria’s chief
justice, CJN, from 2006 to 2007, said the national honours cannot be awarded
posthumously, much less the GCFR, which is the highest honour in the land.
“It is not done. It is for people
living. The only thing they could do is to name a place after him, but national
honours award, no,” the ex-CJN was reported as saying.
However, Sagay countered former
CJN’s statement, urging Nigerians to “look at the big picture” even as he
commended Buhari.
Sagay said Buhari’s move has
restored justice to the system of Nigeria
He said: “Was there injustice
done on June 12? Yes, to both Nigerians and to Abiola, a very great injustice
which almost destroyed this country. Is it therefore good that this injustice
should be removed and justice done? The answer is yes. Has what Buhari done,
not restored justice to the situation and poured balm into the hearts of those
who were hurt? The answer is yes.
“So, why should we be looking for
legal arguments to overturn justice that has been done? These are some of the
things that I cannot understand about Nigerians.”
The PACAC chairman, however,
urged critics to stop having evil arguments and questioning the motive behind
Buhari’s move to elevate the country.
“Some people are even saying the
awards were conferred with a political motive. Again, I ask, what is achieved
by the conferment of the awards, is it a positive or negative thing? Is the act
something to be happy about? Is it something that resolves a major problem and
brings relief to the country? The answer is yes.
“So, what does it matter, even if
there’s a political motive?
“The right thing to do, it’s a big solution to
a long-standing problem that has been festering. It brings relief and joy to
the country. I think Buhari needs to be congratulated heartily and I so
congratulate him,” Sagay added.
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