On the sideline of the activities marking this year’s Democracy Day on June 12, was the federal government’s conferment of National Honours on some deserving Nigerians for the roles they played in the nation’s struggle for democratisation following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election widely believed to have been won by the late Chief MKO Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari supplanted May 29 with June 12 every year as the Democracy Day, complete with a public holiday and capped it with the posthumous award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) reserved for the President to Chief Abiola, while vice presidential candidate, Amb. Babagana Kingibe, received an award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). The bold decision received kudos from many Nigerians that saw it as a coup de grace on anti-democratic forces over two decades after.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave this year’s historic celebration a notch up by choosing to address the nation on the floor of the National Assembly, instead of through the traditional national broadcast.
This year’s commemoration is the third since the emergence of the Tinubu administration in 2023 and the dispensing of the awards has generated mixed feelings from a cross-section of Nigerians within and outside the political fora.
Notable among the recipients were compatriots who actively partook in the June 12 struggle as well as those who fell to the bullets of the military dictatorship for one reason or the other. Leading the honourees was the wife of the winner of the annulled poll, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, who was conferred with a posthumous award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). Pa Alfred Rewane, who was also slain during the struggle, awarded with the CFR, and the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), for showing courage in the face of adversity.
Other posthumous recipients were Gen. Shehu Musa Ya.r’Adua (GCFR), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
Also in receipt of posthumous national honours were Ken Saro Wiwa, the leader of the popular Ogoni Nine, (CON), and his comrades: Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON) and John Kpuine (OON).
Surviving honourees included Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barr. Femi Falana SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barr. Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr. Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barr. Felix Morka (CON) Barr. Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), Sen. Ameh Ebute (CFR), General Alani Akinrinade (GCON) and Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), who clocked 90 on June 13, this year. The Presidency has, however, apologised for classifying Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON) and, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR) among the posthumous recipients.
However, there have been complaints from several quarters about the omissions of a large number of prominent pro-democracy fighters, especially some members of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). In view of the near endless list of the patriots who fought hammer and tongs to return the nation to democratic governance, it would be appropriate for the federal government to institute a Hall of Fame for these heroes and heroines.
It is also gratifying to note that President Tinubu has promised to exercise his powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant some Nigerians, whose names would be announced later, a full pardon after consultation with the National Council of State.
We salute the president for this historic action he has taken to assuage the pains which the surviving democracy fighters have had to pass through over the years as well as the trauma suffered by the families of those brutally murdered by the military regime of the late maximum ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha.
It is our hope that the June 12 experience will serve as a constant reminder for the operators of our democratic system to strive to preserve the hard-earned freedom by avoiding the path that could again lead us to perdition signposted with all manner of anti-democratic tendencies such as political intolerance, lack of inclusiveness, high-handedness, violence, among others, that sadly define us as a people.