President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, and several other distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their roles in advancing democracy in the country.
The honours were announced as part of the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations, held to commemorate the historic June 12, 1993, election widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll, won by Abiola.
MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the election who later died in detention fighting to reclaim his mandate, was posthumously recognised for his unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and national unity.
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) who conducted the June 12 election, was also honoured for his courage and transparency in overseeing a poll that set a benchmark for electoral integrity in Nigeria.
President Tinubu, during the investiture ceremony in Abuja, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding democratic values and acknowledged the sacrifices made by these patriots in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Other recipients of the posthumous honours include civil society leaders, journalists, and pro-democracy activists who played key roles during the struggle against military rule.
The gesture, according to the Presidency, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the legacies of Nigeria’s democratic heroes are preserved and celebrated for posterity.
