President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday affirmed that Nigerians will not tolerate the subversion of justice and annulment of elections, the type of  which culminated in the struggle for the actualization of the mandate of Chief Moshood Kolawole Abiola.

Speaking at the conferment of the posthumous national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on Abiola who, in 1993 was elected Nigeria’s president but never sworn into office at the Aso Rock Villa, Buhari also tendered an apology to the late politician’s family and all those who lost their lives or suffered various forms of indignities in the course of fighting to uphold his presidential mandate.

The President also conferred the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Abiola’s  running mate, Babagana Kingibe and the late celebrated human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi who  fought tirelessly for actualization of the June 12 mandate.

Buhari said his decision to recognize the major actors of the struggle 25 years after, was not meant to open old wounds but to right the wrongs of the past in the national interest and aid the healing and reconciliation process in the aftermath of the June 12 crisis.

He urged all Nigerians, irrespective of political or ethnic coloration, to accept the recognitions in good faith, as the “intention is to bury the negative sides of June 12”; and to bear in mind that the ideals of June 12 will be nurtured for future generations.

Invited but prominently absent at the ceremony were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who excused himself that he was in Norway for a food conference. He had famously declared that Abiola was not the messiah Nigeria needed.

Former military president Ibrahim Babangida, who annulled the June 12 elections on grounds of electoral manipulations also excused himself on health grounds.

Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) which conducted the June 12 election, adjudged Nigeria’s freest and fairest also explained that he was abroad and that the notice was too short.