Some lawyers in the country have faulted the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to confer the highest title in the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, on MKO Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Buhari had on Wednesday announced June 12 as the new Democracy Day, stressing that the decision was to honour Abiola, acclaimed winner of the election adjudged to be the most fair and credible in the history of Nigeria.

Reacting, however, some lawyers, who spoke with DAILY POST on phone, faulted the decision of the president, describing it as illegal and unconstitutional.

Ace lawyer, Barr Paul Edeh told our reporter that the decision was an indictment on the side of the president.

According to him, since Buhari toppled a democratically elected government in 1983, he should resign and allow Shehu Shagari, whom he overthrew complete his tenure.

“The president is totally wrong for conferring the title on Abiola. Inasmuch as many Nigerians may welcome the idea, the law is against it and anything done outside the purview of the law is illegal. In law, it is said that you can’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand.

“That title is reserved for only a person sworn-in as president. Abiola was never sworn-in, so how did he get the title of GCFR posthumously?

“The presidency has shot itself on the foot because he would be forced to pay all the entitlements of a former president to Abiola’s family posthumously.

“I think the only thing he did right was the recognition of the said date as our democracy day, anything outside that is illegal and would be challenged, somehow,” the Abuja-based lawyer said.

Also speaking with our reporter, popular activist, Barr Abbas Ochogwu said the conferment of the title was illegal and should be rejected by the Abiola’s family.

“The president is wrong. The law does not empower him to confer such title on anybody. In fact, no one has the constitutional power to do so. That title is exclusively reserved for an elected president. Abiola was never sworn-in and there is no way he could be called a former president.

“For the June 12 decision, we welcome it wholeheartedly because of how significant the date is in the history of our democracy but for the title, it is a no no.”

Also reacting, Abuja-based lawyer and human rights activist, John Ochogwu said, “I think the president has only exercised his presidential power but for me, anyone that thinks he’s wrong can challenge him in court.”

Earlier, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore, has said that the award of Nigeria’s highest national honour on late Moshood Abiola was illegal.

Belgore, who was 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 had said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/06/mko-abiola-nigerian-lawyers-react.html

let the court decide and interpret the legality of everything

“That title is reserved for ONLY a person sworn-in as president. Abiola was never sworn-in, so how did he get the title of GCFR posthumously?
“The presidency has shot itself on the foot because he would be forced to pay all the entitlements of a former president to Abiola’s family posthumously.

Abiola was president-elect but never took the oath of office.Justice Alfa Belgore just mentioned it too ystdy.What kinds of advice is the AGF giving the Buhari government
Another legal fireworks may be in the making again. The APC may have incured a huge financial burden in the course of curry a political favour.

....

Paperwhite:
“That title is reserved for ONLY a person sworn-in as president. Abiola was never sworn-in, so how did he get the title of GCFR posthumously?
“The presidency has shot itself on the foot because he would be forced to pay all the entitlements of a former president to Abiola’s family posthumously.

Abiola was president-elect but never took the oath of office.Justice Alfa Belgore just mentioned it too ystdy.What kinds of advice is the AGF giving the Buhari government
Another legal fireworks may be in the making again. The APC may have incured a huge financial burden in the course of curry a political favour.

This jewdas has been on overdrive since yesterday..osu Igbo jati jati !!

After lifting the story from Daily Post, OP illegally accord his blog as the rightful owner without giving respect to the owner. Didn't a lazy old man said some Nigerian youths are lazy?

By God's grace come 2019 buhari u are going back to daura

Reminez:

This jewdas has been on overdrive since yesterday..osu Igbo jati jati !!

Don't you hear legal eggheads giving opinions on the constitutionality of the rash decision by the clueless government
Giving Abiola the honour is a good thing but the intent & modality that was used in going about it is wrong.Such issue is being guided by the Nigerian constitution man.
Reason intelligently.

What is in the constitution? Check the Article 3 of the act as highlighted, it gave the President the prerogative to determine who and how the person should be given the award. It does not have to be in person and this is not the first time the posthumous award will be given in Nigeria. Whosoever like, let them go to court and waste their time.