In recent days, there has been considerable public reaction to the list of honorees announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in commemoration of Democracy Day. Understandably, questions have been raised about the omission of some individuals who paid dearly in the struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria.
Let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations to my colleagues—Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Kunle Ajibade, Seye Kehinde, and many others—who have been deservedly recognized for their courage and contribution to the fight for democracy. Their recognition is also, in many ways, recognition of all of us who walked that difficult road. Any honor extended to them is an honor I proudly share.
That said, I feel compelled to clarify that my involvement in the pro-democracy movement was never motivated by the expectation of a national honor. I did what I did—risking my life, enduring imprisonment, torture, and other deprivations—not for reward, but out of conviction and in obedience to my conscience. I believed then, as I still do now, that the Nigerian people deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to determine their future.
It would be unrealistic, especially in the African political context, to expect magnanimity from a sitting President toward individuals who have been openly critical of his policies or withheld support for his political ambitions. I did not vote for this President in 2023 and have remained vocal about the direction of his administration. I understand, therefore, the political nature of recognition and take no offense in being omitted from the list. As a matter of fact, I remain grateful to the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, which honored me with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2023. While I did not set out in search of accolades, I accepted that honor in the spirit of national unity and recognition of a shared history.
As we celebrate our colleagues who have been recognized, I believe we should collectively call on President Tinubu to bestow the greatest honor possible—not just on individuals, but on the entire Nigerian populace. That honor lies in good governance.
Nigerians today are facing hardships that, in many cases, rival or even surpass the difficulties experienced under military rule. From economic instability to growing insecurity, from lack of access to basic services to a feeling of disenfranchisement, the promise of democracy seems distant for many of our fellow citizens.
The true dividend of democracy must go beyond symbolic recognition. It must be seen in:
• A free and fair electoral process where every vote counts;
• Strong and accountable political institutions;
• An economy that allows citizens to live with dignity;
• A society where life and property are secure;
• And a government that listens and responds to the people it serves.
This, I believe, is the legacy that those of us who fought for democracy envisioned. And this, I hope, is the path the current administration will embrace.
*Babafemi Ojudu was a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
