Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Laolu Akande, has called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a more inclusive and comprehensively fair approach in recognising the true heroes of Nigeria’s June 12 pro-democracy struggle.
Speaking on his My Take during the bi-weekly Inside Sources with Laolu Akande programme on Channels Television on Sunday, Akande commended the President for taking steps to honour some individuals who fought for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, he argued that the process must be expanded to reflect a broader and fairer representation of all those who played significant roles in the fight for democracy.
“There are certain names that are obviously omitted and there are others that the President ought to consider for national recognition,” Akande stated. “I guess it would take a far more comprehensive and thorough process to be able to include at least a good portion of those who rendered illustrious service in the defence of June 12th and in the projection of democracy and democratic activities after the annulment of the election.”
Akande, who was a close observer and chronicler of the pro-democracy movement, specifically decried the exclusion of Chief Adekunle Ajasin, former Governor of Ondo State, who served as the chairman of both NADECO and Afenifere.
“But one of the most glaring omissions is the name of the former governor of Ondo State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin who was the chairman of NADECO and the chair of Afenifere. I think leaving out his name does nobody no good. Mr. President, you must find a way to put the name of Chief Adekunle Ajasin where it belongs among the heroes of June 12th. A posthumous national honour for Chief Ajasin will be an imperative.”
In an effort to ensure fairness and inclusivity, Akande proceeded to read out a list of names he said should not be forgotten. Among those he mentioned were:
Ayo Adebanjo, elder statesman and Afenifere chieftain;
Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, a respected clergy and activist;
Lam Adesina, former Oyo State governor;
Olisa Agbakoba, human rights lawyer and pro-democracy advocate;
Babafemi Ojudu, journalist and former presidential adviser;
Colonel Dangiwa Umar, a retired army officer and vocal critic of the annulment;
Walter Carrington, late American ambassador to Nigeria and vocal supporter of democratic restoration;
G.O.K. Ajayi, lead counsel to MKO Abiola;
Olu Onagoruwa, legal luminary and advocate;
Clement Nwankwo, civil society leader and human rights advocate;
Ogaga Ifowodo and Nnimmo Bassey, known for their activism and sacrifice;
Alex Kabba, a journalist who fled Nigeria under threat from the Abacha regime;
Jumoke Ogunkoyede, who championed the renaming of a New York street after Kudirat Abiola;
Professor Itse Sagay, constitutional lawyer and pro-democracy figure;
M.D. Yusuf, former police chief and reform advocate;
Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Muhammad, co-founders of Newswatch magazine;
Ayo Opadokun, General Secretary of NADECO;
Kayode Fayemi, former governor and Radio Kudirat coordinator;
General Ishola Williams, a behind-the-scenes actor in the military;
and Omoyele Sowore, student leader and democracy activist.
“And there are several other Nigerians. And it is important, Mr. President, that you have done this and it is a good thing to recognise some of these heroes and give them national awards. But you have to do it in a comprehensive and completely fair process.”
Akande stressed that national recognition must transcend personal differences or present-day political disagreements, noting:
“Whether they no longer support you now, like people like Ojudu, it is irrelevant. Whether you don’t like what they do, whether government don’t like what they do now, like Omoyele Sowore, it is irrelevant. They were important voices in the June 12th and the pro-democracy struggle, and they should be recognised.”
He urged President Tinubu to revisit the list of honourees and ensure that the nation’s history is preserved with integrity, stating that properly recognising these individuals would inspire younger generations and affirm Nigeria’s commitment to justice and democratic ideals.
