June 12: Why my father would’ve accepted Buhari’s award — Gani Fawehinmi’s son

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President Muhammadu Buhari presenting a Post-Humus GCON Award to Mrs Bukola Fawehinmi, wife of late civil rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, during a Special National Honours Investiture at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday (12/6/18) 03139/12/6/2018/Callistus Ewelike/BJO/NAN

June 12, 2018QueenEsther Iroanusi

Muhammed Fawehinmi, the eldest son of late human rights activist and lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, has explained why his father would have accepted the national honours given to him by the Federal Government.

He said this while receiving the posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on behalf of his father – nearly nine years after his death.

“I know he would have taken it, I know my father more than anybody. There are two reasons why he would have taken it,” Mr Fawehinmi said in response to those insinuating that his father would have rejected the award in principle.

“One, because June 12 was actualised. Two, because M.K.O. Abiola was recognised as president-elect. And you can see from the suggestion at the Senate that they are going to eventually declare the election results and he is going to be given all his benefits after 25 years which he has lost.

“So, for that reason that is victory for him because he went through hell and high waters to make sure that June 12 was actualised,” he said.

In 2008, Mr Fawehinmi rejected national honours given to him by former President Umar Yar’Adua saying the government was not doing enough to fight graft. His family also rejected a similar honour during Nigeria’s centenary celebrations in 2014. He died earlier in September 2009.