* Commends Buhari, asks FG to pay all entitlements due Abiola, Kingibe as former President and Vice President
TVC NEWS, Abuja - The Senate has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to formally release and declare the result of the June 12 presidential election currently presumed to have been won by Chief MKO Abiola.
The Senate also wants Abiola and his Vice Presidential candidate, Babagana Kingibe to be accorded all entitlements due to the office of the President and Vice President.
The Senate thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring Chief Abiola, Kingibe and foremost human rights and pro-democracy activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. It also agreed with the presidency that henceforth June 12 should be celebrated as Nigeria's democracy day but noted that despite the new development, May 29th remains the day for handover and inauguration of new governments.
The motion was earlier moved by Senator Lanre Tejuoso representing Ogun Central but due to the inadequate prayers expressed therein, another motion was moved by Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South with broad prayers to honour the late Chief MKO Abiola and others mentioned.
Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi West had earlier expressed reservations that the national honours act was not properly followed by the presidency before the announcement was made by the presidency but Senate President Bukola Saraki said the good intentions of the decision far outweighs the defects and that the issue will be properly considered at the right time. Saraki's observation was unanimously adopted and all prayers in the motion granted by the Senate.
There was however a twist to the debate when Senator Enyinanya Abaribe representing Abia South jokingly demanded that December 31st be recognized as Democracy Destruction Day as that was the day President Buhari as a military general toppled a democratically elected government headed then by former President Shehu Shagari. The Senate burst into laughter with Kano Senator, Jibrin Barau opposing the view as mere comic relief.
