On June 12, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred posthumous national honours on over 80 Nigerians, including Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Humphrey Nwosu, during a landmark address at a joint session of the National Assembly (NASS) in Abuja, marking Nigeria’s 26th year of unbroken democracy.
The ceremony, part of Democracy Day celebrations honouring the annulled June 12, 1993, election of Chief MKO Abiola, recognized individuals who sacrificed for Nigeria’s democratic struggle, as Tinubu emphasized their courage against military repression. The announcement, met with thunderous applause, included a full presidential pardon for the Ogoni Nine, signaling national reconciliation.
Kudirat Abiola, assassinated in 1996 for her resistance to the Sani Abacha regime, received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), hailed as the “heroine of the June 12 struggle.” Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a key opposition figure and brother of former President Umaru Yar’Adua, was awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest honour. Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who oversaw the 1993 election as National Electoral Commission (NEC) chairman, earned the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) for his integrity. Environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine—Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine—received CON and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) awards, respectively, with pardons for their 1995 executions.
Other posthumous honourees included Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Pa Alfred Rewane (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), and Dr. Alex Ibru (CON). Living recipients included Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka (GCON), Femi Falana (SAN), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka (CON), recognized for their contributions to democracy, journalism, and human rights. Tinubu, addressing lawmakers, stressed, “These honours acknowledge those who braved odds and guns to ensure our democratic regime,” urging Nigerians to uphold June 12’s ideals of freedom and justice.
The ceremony, reported by Channels TV and Leadership, saw Tinubu decorate NASS leaders like Senate President Godswill Akpabio (GCON) with prior honours. The pardons, to be expanded with National Council of State input, aim to heal historical wounds, though critics like PDP’s Atiku Abubakar called for broader electoral reforms. The honours, a testament to Nigeria’s democratic resilience, set a precedent for annual recognitions, as Tinubu’s address, televised live, resonated with a nation navigating economic and political challenges.
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