Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, has commended the Federal Government’s recent honours bestowed on notable figures associated with the June 12 democracy struggle but emphasized that the essence of the movement will remain unfulfilled without genuine reforms in governance and electoral processes.
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In a statement released on Friday, June 13, 2025, Adegboruwa said those listed in the President’s Democracy Day address as June 12 activists and national heroes were deserving of recognition, describing them as “symbols of that struggle” and representative of the collective sacrifice made by Nigerians in the quest to end dictatorship.
“To me, they serve as symbols of that struggle and they represent the collective struggles of our people against dictatorship of any kind,” Adegboruwa stated. “To that extent, anyone and everyone who was part of June 12 is fully represented by those who have been honoured.”
He, however, expressed his personal wish to see several other activists and civil society champions recognized for their contributions to the pro-democracy movement, including Comrades Nasir Kura, Tony Olusanya, Chidi Odinkalu, Chijioke Uwasomba, Anwar Rafsanjani, Olisa Agbakoba, Frank Kokori, Richard Akinola, Yomi Gidado, Abdul Mahmud, Osagie Obayuwana, Biola Akiyode, Omoyele Sowore, Innocent Chukwuma, Mike Ozekhome, Nike Ransome-Kuti, Yima Sen, Omotoye Olorode, Dipo Fasina, Idowu Awopetu, Fola Speedy Odidi, and Segun Maiyegun, among others.
“These are people who lost their lives and liberties for that struggle,” he said. “But I acknowledge that those who have been listed sufficiently capture the essence of our revolutionary efforts.”
While applauding the symbolic gesture, Adegboruwa urged the present administration to uphold the democratic ideals championed by June 12 heroes. He called for all government policies to be rooted in good governance, due process, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
“June 12 will bear no meaning if we do not allow the votes of our people to count and we continue to deny them their rightful choices in the process of leadership recruitment,” he cautioned.
He further warned that the awards would be rendered hollow if the government fails to tackle critical national challenges, including insecurity, poverty, infrastructure decay, and lack of transparency in elections.
“Unless we allow our institutions to become independent, visible and viable, the goals of June 12 would have been lost forever,” Adegboruwa stated.
“Consequently, these awards will bear no meaning if the ruling government continues to weaponize poverty, is unable to tackle the insecurity that is ravaging the land, cannot provide basic infrastructure and ensure transparency in our electoral process.”
He concluded with a patriotic call for justice and reform: “God bless Nigeria.”
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