TheCable

The National Conscience Party (NCP) says Gani Fawehinmi, late human rights lawyer, would have rejected the posthumous GCON award given to him.

Fatai Ibu-Owo, Lagos state chairman of the party, said this in an interview with NAN in Lagos.

However, Ibu-Owo said the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day is apt.

He said the June 12, 1993 presidential election was adjudged the most peaceful and fairest in Nigeria, adding that the will of the citizens prevailed.

He added that the late MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election, was a symbol of democracy and justice.

”Fawehinmi would have rejected the award in view of the prevailing situation in the country; the killings, issues in the economy and unmet aspirations of the masses, for which cause he fought all his life,” he said.

”He would have asked the government to forget the award and fix the problems of the country.

”He once turned down a national award for the same reason.”

Debo Adeniran, chairman of the Centre for Anti-corruption of Open Leadership (CACOL), described the declaration as a welcome development.

”We welcome the declaration; it is the freest and fairest in history.” he said.

”It was a date when Nigerians of all backgrounds united to vote a president of their choice.

”The declaration was good for democracy, it is also a good development for justice.”