President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has now declared June 12 of every year, Democracy Day.
The President has also recognized MKO Abiola as a former president of the country by declaring him as the winner of the June 12 Presidential elections in 1993.
Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, CFR (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) was a Nigerian Yoruba businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Yoruba Egba clan. MKO Abiola ran for the presidency in 1993, for which the election results were annulled by the preceding military president Ibrahim Babangida because of allegations that they were corrupt and unfair.
While this is a closure for many Nigerians, June 12 recognition might be seen as a political move by Buhari to court votes from the South West of Nigeria where his popularity has waned.
