National Honour: Pro-democracy Group Faults Dangiwa Umar Over Military Officers' Inclusion in June 12 Struggle

National Honour: Pro-democracy Group Faults Dangiwa Umar Over Military Officers' Inclusion in June 12 Struggle


A pro-democracy group under the aegis of the June 12 Ibadan Alliance for Democracy has faulted former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), over his recent suggestion that several of his military colleagues be considered for national honours for their roles in the June 12, 1993 struggle.

In a statement personally signed by Col. Umar, following his recent conferment with the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the retired officer had called on the federal government to also recognise "38 or more" unnamed ex-military officers whom he described as "unsung heroes" of the democratic struggle.

However, the June 12 Alliance, in a press release issued and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Arisekola Abdulwahab, strongly disagreed with Col. Umar’s recommendation. 

The group accused some of the officers mentioned of fraternising with the late General Sani Abacha and playing roles that ran contrary to democratic ideals.

“We appreciate Col. Dangiwa Umar for accepting the national honour and we acknowledge his outstanding role in defending the sanctity of June 12 despite being in military uniform,” the group said. “However, it is unacceptable to recommend for honours those military officers who were part of the machinery that frustrated and truncated Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.”

The group insisted that while Umar’s own contributions to the pro-democracy movement are undeniable and deserving of national recognition, “those of his colleagues, particularly those who hobnobbed with anti-democratic forces, should not be rewarded.”

“For the benefit of younger generations who may not know the history, honouring such officers would wrongly present them as champions of democracy. That would be a distortion of history,” the statement added.

The group concluded by urging President Tinubu and the National Honours Committee to be cautious in selecting future recipients, stressing that "national recognition should only go to individuals with verifiable contributions to Nigeria's democratic journey."


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