Daniel Otera
In a historic move marking Democracy Day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday honoured 66 prominent Nigerians, many of them deceased pro-democracy activists at a special ceremony at the National Assembly in Abuja.
Flanked by top government officials and former legislative leaders, President Tinubu paid tribute to both fallen and living heroes of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, describing their courage and sacrifice as foundational to the country’s democratic journey.
In a rare gesture, Tinubu announced posthumous presidential pardons for the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of the Ogoni Nine, symbolically closing one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s human rights history.
Among those honoured was Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who received a posthumous Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award. Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
“We must not forget the long list of those who equally deserve to be called heroes of Nigerian democracy,” Tinubu declared during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly.
He cited the contributions of Pa Alfred Rewane, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief Bola Ige, Chima Ubani, Fredrick Fasehun, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu and others as symbols of pan-Nigerian resistance who defied tyranny in the fight for justice and civil freedom.
Full List of Honourees
GCFR : Shehu Musa Yar’Adua
GCON : Prof. Wole Soyinka
CFR : Kudirat Abiola, Mobolaji Akinyemi, Chief Bola Ige, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Senator Abu Ibrahim, Senator Ame Ebute, Alhaji Balarabe Musa
CON : Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Pa Alfred Rewane, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Alao Aka Bashorun, Chief Frank Kokori, Fredrick Fasehun, Prof. Festus Iyayi, Dr. John Yima Sen, Alhaja Sawaba Gambo, Dr. Edwin Madunagu, Dr. Alex Ibru, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo, Prof. Olatunji Dare, Bayo Onanuga, Dare Babarinsa, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Barr. Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barr. Ledum Mitee, Barr. Felix Morka, Hon. Olawale Osun, Dr. Amos Akingba, Prof. Segun Gbadegesin, Dr. Kayode Shonoiki, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Prof. Bayo Williams, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi
OON : Bagauda Kaltho, Chima Ubani, Emma Ezeazu, Bamidele Aturu, Kunle Ajibade, Nosa Igiebor, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, John Kpuine, Nick Dazang, Hon. Labaran Maku, Hon. Abdul Oroh, Seye Kehinde
The honourees span a wide range of backgrounds, including journalists, academics, human rights defenders, former legislators, and civil society leaders who played vital roles in the June 12, 1993 struggle and other democratic milestones.
President Tinubu also paid tribute to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. Tinubu praised former President Muhammadu Buhari for formally recognising June 12 as Democracy Day in 2018 a move intended to correct historical injustices.
“Election after election, every time we debate instead of battle, discuss instead of fight, and argue instead of destroy, we preserve the institutions of democracy,” Tinubu said.
He recalled the sacrifices of journalists, civil society activists and politicians who risked their lives under military regimes, citing the 2006 rejection of the third-term agenda and the 2010 invocation of the doctrine of necessity as defining milestones.
June 12, 1993, remains one of the most significant dates in Nigeria’s democratic history. The election, adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was controversially annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida. Following his self-declaration as president-elect, Abiola was arrested in 1994 and detained by the military regime of General Sani Abacha until his sudden death in custody on 7 July 1998.
His death, coming just weeks after Abacha’s demise, catalysed a transition that led to Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and the birth of the Fourth Republic.
In 2018, the Buhari administration posthumously awarded Abiola the nation’s highest honour Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) recognising his sacrifice and contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
The National Assembly complex was colourfully decorated in green-white-green ahead of the commemorative session. President Tinubu arrived at 11:50 a.m., accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, SGF George Akume, and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki, Ahmad Lawan, Anyim Pius Anyim, and former House Speaker Patricia Etteh.
In his welcome remarks, Akpabio defended the legislature’s independence and proposed the establishment of a June 12 Museum to preserve the memory of Nigeria’s democracy heroes.
Responding to concerns about political consolidation, Tinubu assured Nigerians of his continued commitment to multi-party democracy:
“At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria,” he said.
