Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has declared he would have rejected any national honor from President Bola Tinubu and pursued legal action for defamation if his name had appeared on the Democracy Day awards list.
Sowore made the statement on social media Friday, a day after President Tinubu conferred national honors on several Nigerians during his Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly, recognizing them as “June 12 heroes” who fought for the actualization of late Chief MKO Abiola’s presidential mandate.
The awards ceremony on Thursday honored prominent figures who campaigned for the restoration of Abiola’s victory in the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election. Among the recipients were Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and retired General Alani Akinrinade, who were both elevated to Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Other notable recipients included civil rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Bishop Matthew Kukah, journalist Dare Babarinsa, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Senator Shehu Sani, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, all of whom received the Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Responding to the honors in a social media post, Sowore expressed his rejection of any association with the Tinubu administration through such recognition. He indicated that inclusion in the awards list would have prompted him to take legal action against the President.
The activist, who has been a vocal critic of successive Nigerian governments, accompanied his statement with a photograph of himself alongside the late MKO Abiola, apparently emphasizing his own connection to the June 12 struggle.
Sowore’s reaction highlights the complex political dynamics surrounding the commemoration of June 12, with some democracy activists maintaining their opposition to the current administration despite official recognition of the historic date.
The Democracy Day celebration marked another significant moment in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to honor those who fought for democratic governance, though it has also revealed divisions among former allies in the struggle for democracy.
President Tinubu’s decision to honor June 12 advocates represents a continuation of the recognition first initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who declared June 12 as Nigeria’s official Democracy Day in 2018, replacing the previous May 29 date.
The awards ceremony was part of broader commemorative activities marking the 31st anniversary of the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential poll, which was subsequently annulled by the military government.
