Why A June 12 Democracy Day Is Important Now

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday announced that Chief MKO Abiola has been posthumously awarded the highest national honour (GCFR), and late human rights lawyer and activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, conferred with a GCON. See more

Dear Nigerians, I am delighted to announce that, after due consultations, the Federal Govt has decided that henceforth, June 12 will be celebrated as Democracy Day. We have also decided to award posthumously the highest Honour in the land, GCFR, to the late Chief MKO Abiola. pic.twitter.com/VyYftmvWKA

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) June 6, 2018

President Buhari also announced that June 12^th will, from 2019, be Nigeria’s official Democracy Day. Let’s not ask why we cannot begin these celebrations in 2018; it doesn’t matter if we’ve already celebrated Democracy Day on May 29^th – enjoyment is never enough.

Here are five reasons why a June 12 Democracy Day is important now

Because elections are important and this decision could have been taken in 2015 or 2016 or 2017, but 2018 is the year. Strategic stuff. Because let the people see that you are actually doing something to make the country better. You care. You pay attention. Because now that you are visiting from the UK, you best get to working. Because Pa Fawehinmi would have rejected national honours dipped in the blood of innocent Nigerians while he was alive, so why not sneak one in when he is dead and can’t reject awards? Simply genius. And again, don’t forget, it is very important to know How To Win Elections In Africa.