The family of America’s legendary freedom fighter, Dr Martin Luther King Jr has denied giving any award to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Recall that a nephew of MLK, Isaac newton-Farris Jr, had earlier in the week presented Buhari with the “Ist Black History Month National Black Excellence and Exceptional African Leadership Award 2018” at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
During the award presentation, newton-Farris Jnr had urged Nigerians to give Buhari a second term in office.
However, many groups and individuals had criticised the choice of Buhari as a recipient of the “prestigious” award.
A civil rights group, Concerned Nigerians, which criticised the move, said: “We condemn in its entirety this prestigious award that was conferred on the President. He doesn’t deserve the award and as such, we are calling on the family of Martin Luther King Jr not to compromise the legacy of Rev. Luther by giving award to people that are undeserving.”
But according to a tweet by Atlanta, Georgia-based The King Center, a non-profit established to preserve MLK’s legacy, the award was not given by the freedom fighter’s family or by the centre.
See tweet:
The award given to President Buhari of Nigeria was not given by The King Center, at the request of The King Center or by the children of #MLK and #CorettaScottKing. @MrFixNigeria
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) March 28, 2018