President Bola Tinubu has praised the late Moshood Abiola, his wife Kudirat, Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, and many other Nigerians who fought for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria following the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.
Tinubu in his Democracy Day speech also hailed Shehu Yar’Adua and Chukwuemeka Ezeife (all late), Shehu Sani, Uba Sani, Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu.
Others include Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Chief Ganiyu Dawodu, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, General Alani Akinrinade, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, Chief Ralph Obioha, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Olisa Agbakoba, Femi Falana, Abdul Oroh, Chief Olu Falae, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Ayo Opadokun.
The sacrifices they made, and the precious gift brought about by their selfless devotion can never be repaid. Neither shall it be forgotten,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu also praised “the irrepressible Nigerian journalists” and media houses who mounted the barricades along with the pro-democracy activists.
“We celebrate them today, along with their media establishments such as The Punch, Guardian, National Concord, Tribune, The News/Tempo, and TELL Magazines. Military authorities proscribed these media establishments and jailed their journalists for standing for free speech and civil liberties,” Tinubu said.
The president pledged his commitment to upholding democratic principles including freedom of speech.
