President Bola Tinubu on Thursday delivered a Democracy Day address that sparked both widespread praise and criticism over his list of honourees commemorating the heroes of the June 12, 1993 democratic struggle. While many Nigerians applauded the President’s recognition of pro-democracy icons, others lamented the omission of several key figures.
The late Moshood Abiola, widely regarded as the rightful winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election, was prominently honoured. This election, considered the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, was annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida, triggering a nationwide crisis.
In his address to a joint session of the National Assembly, President Tinubu bestowed national honours on activists, journalists, scholars, and fallen democracy advocates. Notably, he granted a presidential pardon and conferred honours on the Ogoni Nine, led by Ken Saro-Wiwa, executed in 1995 for protesting oil exploitation in their homeland.
Among the living honourees, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka and retired General Alani Akinrinade were elevated to Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Civil rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Bishop Matthew Kukah, Senator Shehu Sani, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), alongside other distinguished Nigerians.
However, Senator Shehu Sani expressed disappointment on social media, highlighting notable figures from the North who participated in the June 12 struggle but were left out, including Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Attahiru Jega. Investigations revealed many of these individuals had previously received national honours.
Critics also pointed out the absence of activists like Otunba Gaddafi and Joe Okei-Odumakin, as well as late figures such as Yinka Odumakin and Tunde Oladepo, who reportedly was murdered during the Abacha regime.
In his closing remarks, President Tinubu indicated that the award process remains open to further recognitions. Former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi, a June 12 participant, voiced dissatisfaction that key drivers of the pro-democracy Kudirat Radio project were not honoured.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) praised Tinubu’s bold step to honour the Ogoni Nine but urged the President to exonerate them fully rather than merely pardon them.
This year’s ceremony capped a series of national honours since October 2022, including awards to military officers, foreign dignitaries like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and philanthropist Bill Gates.
President Tinubu’s comprehensive list underscores a continued effort to recognize Nigeria’s democratic pioneers, though debates over inclusions and exclusions persist, reflecting the complex legacy of the June 12 struggle.
