Buharis award of gcfr to m k o abiola illegal ex cjn belgore

A controversial topic!

The award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to Moshood Abiola, a Nigerian businessman and politician, by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 was a highly debated issue. Abiola was the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.

The controversy surrounding the award stems from the fact that Abiola's victory in the 1993 election was never officially recognized by the government, and many Nigerians felt that the award was a belated recognition of his supposed victory.

In 2019, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Belgore, described the award as "illegal" and "unconstitutional". Belgore, who was the CJN from 1976 to 1979, argued that the award was a usurpation of the powers of the National Assembly and the judiciary, which are responsible for recognizing and confirming the results of elections.

Belgore's criticism was based on the argument that the award was made without the necessary legislative and judicial processes being followed. He also questioned the timing of the award, which was made more than 25 years after the annulled election.

However, others have argued that the award was a symbolic gesture aimed at healing the wounds of the past and promoting national unity. They argue that the award was not meant to be a formal recognition of Abiola's victory, but rather a way of acknowledging his contributions to Nigerian politics and democracy.

In conclusion, while there are valid arguments on both sides, the award of the GCFR to Moshood Abiola by President Buhari remains a controversial issue that has sparked intense debate in Nigeria.