President Bola Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on Kudirat Abiola, wife of the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, and Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the electoral commission chairman who conducted the historic election.

The honours were bestowed during Tinubu's address to a joint session of the National Assembly as part of activities marking the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.

"As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country," President Tinubu stated.

Key Democracy Heroes Honoured

Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated during the struggle for the actualization of the June 12 mandate, was posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who conducted the widely acclaimed freest and fairest election in Nigeria's history, received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Other posthumous awardees include Shehu Musa Yar'Adua (GCFR), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), and Chief Frank Kokori (CON).

Living Democracy Advocates Recognized

The President also honoured living democracy advocates including Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka (GCON), journalist and professor Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana (CON).

In a special recognition, legendary journalist and publisher Sam Amuka Pemu received the CON award ahead of his 90th birthday on June 13.

Ogoni Nine Pardoned

In a significant move, President Tinubu also conferred posthumous national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON) and other members of the Ogoni Nine who were executed by the military regime in 1995. The President announced he would exercise his powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon.

"I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State," Tinubu declared.

The conferment of these honours represents a significant acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by various Nigerians in the struggle for democracy, particularly surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

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