Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, a retired colonel and prominent June 12 advocate, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the national honour bestowed on him.
On June 12, Tinubu conferred national honours on 66 Nigerians in recognition of their service to the nation.
Umar’s name was not on the initial list of the June 12 honourees announced on Democracy Day. The president said his name was inadvertently left out of the list and was later included.
Umar was conferred with the honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). The award recognises his role in the struggle to validate the June 12, 1993, election and affirm MKO Abiola’s mandate.
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Tinubu described Umar as a “soldier of democracy”, adding that the national honour was a recognition of his courage and steadfastness in the struggle for democracy.
In a statement on Sunday, Umar said his initial reaction was to question why he was the only one honoured among his peers, given the many unsung heroes who risked their careers and lives during the struggle.
He said while he was a leader within the military movement, many others contributed significantly but remained anonymous.
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Umar added that Abiola won 80% votes of the armed forces.
“When the President called to inform me of his decision to magnanimously confer on me the the National Award of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, on account of my much advertised role in the struggle for the validation of the June 12th election and affirmation of Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, my first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes. Those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking their careers and even lives,” the statement reads.
“Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs. While I have been recognised and celebrated, including this National Honour by the President, they have remained anonymous.
“It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.The fact that Chief Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th election won over 80% of the Armed Forces votes, clearly demonstrated the contribution of the other members of the military. I should add that this list is by no means exhaustive. There are a lot more participants who have remained unknown to me since they served under others. I apologise to all those whose names I must have missed. May God recognise and reward your sacrifice.”
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Umar listed some officers “who played vital roles”, including MA Garba, his deputy at the armoured corps centre and school, “who continued their plans despite arrests and retirements in 1993”.
He mentioned other notable names including Saad Abubakar, the incumbent Sultan of Sokoto; Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser (NSA); and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun.
Other names Umar mentioned were Lawal Jaafaru Isa, UF Ahmed, ML Gwadabe, J. Temlong, Musa Shehu, Chris Eze, HM Dzarma, Isa Jibrin, JOS Oshanupin, A. Oloruntoba, Moke, and Happy Bulus.
On his list were Colonels J Okai and E. Ndubueze; Lt. Cols Yakubu Muazu and Yahaya Abubakar (current Etsu Nupe); Abba Maimalari, Jamil Tahir, Buzugbe, LP Aprezi, MK Yake, J Dawah, Suleiman Wali, Dauda Komo, Lucky Torrie, JS Zaruwa, M Sumaye, Sani Bawa, Ndaliman, Ahmed, M Bawa; Lt. Col JB Ahmadu; and Captains Junaid Bindawa and Lar.
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Umar called on leaders at all levels to govern with integrity, fear of God, and respect for democratic principles.
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