Tinubu Honours Dasuki, Other June 12 Heroes, Salutes Democracy Champions
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday conferred national honours on former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), and several pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians, and military officers in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle and the historic June 12 movement.
The announcement formed a major highlight of the President’s 2026 Democracy Day address delivered at the National Assembly, where he paid tribute to individuals who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and personal sacrifices in the fight against military rule and the restoration of democratic governance.
Among those honoured were prominent members of the pro-democracy movement as well as military officers popularly described as “soldier-democrats” who resisted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
President Tinubu said the awardees represented Nigerians who stood firmly for freedom, justice, and democratic governance during some of the nation’s most turbulent political periods.
“We honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy,” the President declared.
Dasuki, Other Soldier-Democrats Recognised
A major feature of the honours list was the recognition of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), a former military officer and later National Security Adviser, who played a notable role in the resistance against the annulment of the June 12 election and the struggle for democratic restoration.
Other military officers honoured by the President included Major General Mohammed Ahmed Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Ja’afaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu, and the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier General Yahaya Abubakar (rtd), who already holds the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Many of the officers were members of the military establishment who openly opposed the annulment of the June 12 election and faced detention, dismissal, harassment, or career setbacks under military rule.
Journalists, Activists, Politicians Honoured
The President also announced national honours for several journalists, activists, labour leaders, and politicians who were active in the struggle for democracy.
Among them are Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr. Niran Malaolu, Major General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta.
Posthumous honours were also approved for renowned democracy advocates Dr. Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
June 12 Remains Nigeria’s Democratic Symbol
Reflecting on the significance of June 12, President Tinubu described the annulled 1993 election as a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history and a symbol of national unity.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” he said.
The President paid special tribute to the late Chief MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, as well as other icons of the democratic struggle, including Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and numerous other heroes and heroines of democracy.
Yar’Adua Immortalised
In another symbolic gesture, President Tinubu announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, one of the foremost architects of Nigeria’s democratic movement.
The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
The President said the honour was in recognition of Yar’Adua’s enduring contributions to national unity, democratic development, and political inclusion.
Democracy Must Deliver Prosperity
While celebrating Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, Tinubu stressed that the current generation must move beyond securing political freedom to delivering economic prosperity.
“The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he stated.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to security, economic reforms, infrastructure development, electricity sector revitalisation, local government autonomy, and youth empowerment as part of efforts to deepen democratic dividends across the country.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had allocated ₦5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget, while over 50,000 additional police personnel and thousands of military recruits were being deployed to strengthen national security.
The complete honours list, according to the President, will be officially released in the coming days.
By TimesNG