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 June 12, 1993 elections.

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

Honouring Democracy Heroes

"As we mark twenty-six years 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 during the ceremony.

Kudirat Abiola, who was assassinated in 1996 while advocating for the validation of her husband's mandate, was posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who conducted the annulled 1993 elections widely regarded as Nigeria's freest and fairest, received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Extensive List of Honourees

The President also conferred posthumous national honours on several other democracy advocates including Shehu Musa Yar'Adua (GCFR), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON).

Other posthumous recipients included Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), and Chief Bola Ige (CFR).

Living recipients of national honours included Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka (GCON), Professor Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (CON).

Ogoni Nine Honoured and Pardoned

In a significant move, President Tinubu also conferred posthumous national honours on environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON) and other members of the Ogoni Nine who were executed by the military regime in 1995.

"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," the President declared.

The President also honoured legendary journalist and publisher Sam Amuka Pemu with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) as he marks his 90th birthday on June 13.

This extensive list of honours recognizes individuals who made significant contributions to Nigeria's democratic journey, particularly during the struggle against military rule in the 1990s.

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