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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday led a historic tribute to pro-democracy heroes as part of the 32nd anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, conferring national honours on 63 Nigerians ,31 posthumously and 32 living, for their pivotal roles in the struggle for democracy.
In a symbolic gesture during a joint session of the National Assembly, President Tinubu, a former pro-democracy activist himself, acknowledged the sacrifices of individuals who stood against military dictatorship and championed the will of the Nigerian people during one of the country’s darkest political periods.
“This action by President Tinubu is not only historic but deeply symbolic. It reflects the humility of a statesman who recognises that Nigeria’s democratic gains were borne out of collective suffering and sacrifice,”said a Nigerian Diaspora Community,NDC, civil society statement issued shortly after the ceremony.
While many praised the breadth of the honour roll, several prominent voices have called for an expanded list in future phases to include other unsung heroes.
Among those mentioned were Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a NADECO elder; Mrs Kofo Bucknor-Akerele, former Lagos Deputy Governor; activist and publisher Chief Dele Momodu; Sahara Reporters’ founder Omoyele Sowore; the late Prince Adeniyi Adele; and Major Abubakar Umar (rtd), the only military officer to publicly condemn the annulment.
Also highlighted were journalists like Richard Akinnola II and media houses such as DAAR Communications, Punch Newspapers, and other independent journalists who defied censorship and threats to keep the democratic spirit alive.
The Nigerian diaspora community, credited with offering financial, moral, and diplomatic support to the democratic resistance from abroad, was similarly applauded.
Their contributions, though often invisible, were described as “foundational.”
In a follow-up appeal, the President and Commandant Mentor of the Nigeria Democratic Movement and Civic Responsibility Project (NIDMECORP), MC Alistair, urged the federal government to establish permanent structures to preserve the nation’s democratic memory. Suggestions included:
Naming national monuments, legal institutions, or media centres after key honourees
Creating a “June 12 Democracy Hall of Remembrance” as a digital and physical archive
Launching annual youth leadership fellowships and national lecture series on democracy
“These actions would ensure that our democratic memory is institutionalised and passed on to future generations,” said MC Alistair. “It’s not just about conferring honours; it’s about embedding values of equity, sacrifice, and patriotism in our national conscience.”
Observers agree that Tinubu’s action has added moral weight to the meaning of June 12 as Democracy Day, but many believe its true legacy will lie in how the nation preserves, teaches, and builds upon the sacrifices made.
Email: nidmecorp@gmail.com
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
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