Tinubu’s ‘omoluabiism’ and June 12 fighters

“It is not titles that honour men but men that honour titles.”
– Niccolo Machiavelli

June 12, 2025 will be a day to remember for a long time to come. Not for the niceties of officialdom but for the fact that it was on that day that those who sow courage yesterday were accorded honour today by a government whose henchman is a leading light of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that sprouted in the wake of June 23, 1993 Presidential election annulment by the military administration of evil dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. That day’s honour is the reward of the courage these patriots and thousands of others not yet honoured displayed in pursuit of electoral justice for the country.

Why is June 12 being celebrated? It is simply because on that date in 1993, Bashorun MKO Abiola was voted for but denied the victory of his globally acclaimed freest and fairest election ever in the history of this country. Sadly so, he was criminally taken out by the state in circumstances that are still beyond human comprehension.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, conferred this deserved honour on some deserving Nigerians during his Democracy Day address before the joint session of the National Assembly.

Last Thursday was a day that the toil of some living and dead fighters of today’s democratic fruits, enjoyed by Nigerians, were accorded due official recognition. Quite unlike before when democratically minded Nigerians, including the current president, begged, clamoured and prostrated before past powers-that-be so that freedom fighters of the June 12 hue can be duly recognized by the federation.

The worst previous leader in this regard is former President Olusegun Obasanjo who still loathes the name MKO Abiola; most certainly out of envy for the martyr of democracy’s larger-than-life image, wealth, and burgeoning political profile during his lifetime and till date.

The honorees of that day, though not exhaustive, fought on several fronts. Some fought with their pens of which yours sincerely was among. Yours sincerely joined other patriots on the streets of Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, to protest the devilish annulment at the time. However, other patriots fought against the annulment with their voice on radio and television stations. Others including students and the labour movement fought through networking, activism, pecuniary support and organizational skills amongst others. The collective efforts of these known and unknown patriots have brought about what we call democracy today.

As Tinubu reeled out names of beneficiaries, it is difficult to disagree with him on his choice of recipients even though it is clear that some names have been inadvertently omitted. The three Nigerians that hijacked an airplane just to draw global attention to the June 12 annulment in the prime of their youth were conspicuously missing on the Tinubu Democracy Day list. They went to jail in Niger Republic for over two decades and should now be honoured and rehabilitated for displaying rare selfless courage in times of national distress. General Isola Williams, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa also were not on the list. Despite being uniformed personnel at the time, they risked their lives and service by speaking truth to power. Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and others should equally be fished out for recognition.

But like Tinubu stated in his address, he’ll still add other deserving names in tandem with the National Council of State. This means that the exercise is a continuum. This is the first time in a long time that national honours awards are not seen by reasonable people as a bazaar.

The applause that greeted the presidential announcement of some names, particularly that of Professor Wole Soyinka, was tumultuous. It shows titles don’t make man. It is man that confers honour on titles. Names like Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Alani Akinrinade, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Bagauda Kaltho elicited excitement across the National Assembly and the country.

The presidential honorees cannot be faulted. The heroine of June 12 struggles, Kudirat Abiola posthumously got the national honour of CFR, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (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. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR): Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Senator Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON). Also conferred with the national honour are Professor Wole Soyinka (GCON), Professor Olatunji Dare, described as ‘journalist and journalism teacher’ by the president equally got CON:

Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Professor Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON).

Others include 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), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister 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), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR). Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, the journalism luminary also got CON honour.

Environmental degradation activists/Ogoni nine, apart from state pardon also got national honours. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa (CON) led 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) in this regard.

Listening to Tinubu reel out the names of these rebellious fighters of worthy cause reaffirms my personal conviction that the president is still the commander of his craft. For once since the advent of this democratic epoch, national award is making sense to sensible people in this country. This time around, national awards conferment is not publicly perceived as a mockery of our collective national values. These men, in line with Niccolo Machiavelli’s assertion, will surely give honour to their various national awards. Kudos to Tinubu for achieving this feat.

The complete or near silence of previous federal administrations on this issue of June 12 actually denied justice to living and dead freedom fighters because such silence empowered evil against good deeds of patriots who fought the military to a stand still.

Tinubu with this token recognition bestowed upon the deserving, dead and alive, cured the mischievous crime against reason of the past with regards to June 12. Thank you President Tinubu for giving us a day when it can be stated that honourees truly confer honour on National Awards.

No doubts that Nigerians remain united in commending him on this, just like yours sincerely hopes that one day, Nigerians will have genuine reason to be truly united in celebrating Tinubu’s efforts to put Nigeria on the right track however herculean it might seem today. That day, Nigerians would have gotten answers to the renewed hope promised them, not excuses.

Those that Tinubu recognized at one point or the other in the history of this country on Thursday give efficacy to Leo Tolstoy’s assertion that “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

These people gave Nigeria’s reformation priority at the risk of their lives and that of their family members.

And on June 12, 2025, past toil of these patriots paid off. Certainly, the toil of those that were not yet rewarded will one day be recognized by our omoluabi president. It is a matter of time and patience.

Sanusi is managing partner at AMS Reliable Solicitors in Lagos.