…I do not in any way begrudge him the posthumous honour, even when I insist that the right thing must be done at all times. Meanwhile, whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.


Following the decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to honour my late friend, Alhaji Moshood K. Abiola (may Allah grant him peace) and officially recognise him as the winner of the inconclusive June 12, 1993 presidential election in which I was a candidate, I have been inundated by calls from friends, well-wishers, former political associates and journalists.

While some worry about the brazen one-sidedness of this curious presidential action, especially given the list of invitees to Tuesday’s event at the Villa, supposedly to mark ‘Democracy Day’, there are also those who canvass that I be so honoured with a similar award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), if the motive indeed was noble and meant to serve the end of justice. As much as I appreciate the goodwill, in this circumstance, however, I have to say that I would not accept it as it is, even if given.

While I do not begrudge the president his power to bestow favour on whomsoever he pleases, it is also important, especially for history, for all actions from the highest authority in the country to be based on fair play and law. Needless to say, being one of the two presidential candidates in that election does not in any way define me or my achievements in life; it was not even the most important one.

As for my friend, M.K.O. Abiola, what he needs most is our sincere prayers for Allah’s mercy and the gift of Paradise for him. While some of us cherish his memory as a departed friend and compatriot, there are many who will continue to exploit it and to glory in it for their own benefits.


However, as I have reiterated many times in the past, I am grateful to the numerous Nigerians from across the length and breadth of the country who made enormous sacrifices in the National Republican Convention (NRC), as well as the millions of our citizens who voted for both the late Abiola and myself in that historic election. Much more importantly, I am most grateful to Almighty God for the several Honours He has bestowed on me; all of which have enriched my life. As for my friend, M.K.O. Abiola, what he needs most is our sincere prayers for Allah’s mercy and the gift of Paradise for him. While some of us cherish his memory as a departed friend and compatriot, there are many who will continue to exploit it and to glory in it for their own benefits.

For those who may have forgotten or never knew, the late Abiola was a close personal friend of mine, a relationship dating back to the Second Republic when I was the national financial secretary of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and he was the Ogun State chairman of the party. So, I do not in any way begrudge him the posthumous honour, even when I insist that the right thing must be done at all times. Meanwhile, whatever may be the prevailing sentiment and politics in Abuja, the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.

Finally, like all, I am also travelling on the path prepared for me by God Almighty. He controls my destiny and I pray He will continue to favour and to guide me. All Power belongs to Him alone. He gives it to whom He pleases and He Has Power over all things, including every ambition. May The Almighty, in whose Hands lie our destinies keep our beloved country and peoples together in unity, peace and prosperity.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2018/06/10/june-12-as-democracy-day-needs-to-be-reconsidered-by-bashir-tofa/

ok

This is super story.....lamentations of life from a confused loser

OMG... this is a classic example of tautology... at its best! Alhaji, what exactly are you trying to say?

They are troubling the spirit of MKO for political gains even in Ramadan. All the traitors and beneficiaries of the annulment now gathering for a feast called investiture!

Continue to rest in peace MKO we that truly voted for you are not deceived by their gimmick just like their chanji!

good Lord this 12 June na wa ooo

...the idea that June 12 should be the new Democracy Day is also a matter that deserves serious reconsideration. Such decisions should be beyond some political cold calculations.

Someone like Buhari is talking about Democracy hehehehehe and he doesn't obey court orders nor does he respect rules of law.


They will soon come here to call him IPOB
They think everyone hates them.

I am really angry June 12 ahs now being turned into a Yoruba project.

I won't be surprised if some states outside Southwest ignore June 12 observation.

So Bashir Tofa has suddenly found his voice??

GCFR for Tofa? This Tofa guy is a dreamer!

Somebody that cannot even win the polling booth in front of his house in gandu albasa in Kano!

Tofa is a selfish person. He only constructed the public tap in front of his house weeks before the June 12 election. He doesn't come out of his house until the presidential election.

I wonder how he even became the NRC presidential flag bearer

We are slowly losing our culture nowadays... can you imagine.... even Yoruba girls are bathing twice nowadays

Bashir Tofa an irrelevant stooge selected from the north only to make up the numbers​ in 1993, still has the audacity to speak.

What's this one saying

Tofa, you are political irrelevant so park ya self go one corner jare.

Buhari only want to put the wedge out of our gedu truck, North knows their say and you are hearing it now.

I don't seem to understand what he is blabbing about.

STUPID MAN !


THIS USELESS BASHIR TOFA SHOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT THING AND CONCEDED DEFEAT TO MKO EVEN IF THE ELECTION WAS ANNULLED.


IF HE HAD THE BALLS & DECENCY TO CONCEDE DEFEAT, IBB WILL NOT HAVE HAD THE MORAL JUSTIFICATION TO ANNUL THE ELECTION OF JUNE12th.


BASHIR TOFA MISSED HIS GOD GIVEN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE BECOME A HERO-OF-DEMOCRACY.


BASHIR TOFA REFUSAL TO CONCEDE DEFEAT LEAD TO THE LOSS OF MANY INNOCENT NIGERIAN LIVES.


BASHIR TOFA HAS NO RIGHT TO SPEAK OR EVEN BE HEARD FROM AGAIN.


BASHIR TOFA, PLEASE KINDLY SHUT UP.

He has a point

This June12 abi na 22 is getting Stale! Even our half baked bloggers are contributing in this shi^t of June 12 saga! The news is getting boring I swear.

tuniski:
They are troubling the spirit of MKO for political gains even in Ramadan. All the traitors and beneficiaries of the annulment now gathering for a feast called investiture!

Continue to rest in peace MKO we that truly voted for you are not deceived by their gimmick just like their chanji!

Kaifa nasan mene matsalarka. Komai kanayine just to sell Atiku. Kuma mutane baxasu siyaba.

I hear, e bi like say the award pain am, I remember when I was young, the slogan was, on the salah day on the salah day looking for a ram to kill on The salah day Tofa ooo, is our RAM o.

Cyoung4real:
We are slowly losing our culture nowadays... can you imagine.... even Yoruba girls are bathing twice nowadays

Just like p1gs are now selling their fathers for money now, before they only sell their mothers.

Wonders shall never end

Sophiscated morons will now gather here to attack ipob instead of facing their master

I still stand by what I think and have said before.
Buhari will do whatever it takes to remain in power, and obviously, he is at it.


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Is Tofa trying to say that since his friend MKO is dead that he is now the beneficiary of some sort and so should be invited to the banquet.

FriendNG:



Kaifa nasan mene matsalarka. Komai kanayine just to sell Atiku. Kuma mutane baxasu siyaba.

Su waye? Leave matter for Mathias when we get to the bridge we shall cross it. #Atikunation is a reality but, buharideens can continue in their delusion.

Igbo Amaka

Yoruba Amaka

Tofa just disappeared after the annulment. He completely vanished. Who wan die?