President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to grant presidential pardons to key figures of the June 12 pro-democracy struggle and other unnamed individuals, describing them as “national heroes.”
The announcement, made on Thursday June 12, 2025, during his State of the Nation address to a joint session of the National Assembly to mark Democracy Day, has stirred both applause and apprehension across the country.
“I shall be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” Tinubu declared.
While many Nigerians welcomed the symbolic gesture towards individuals who fought for the country’s return to democracy, the President’s failure to specify all beneficiaries has raised concerns over possible political motivations and the potential rehabilitation of controversial figures.
Recent speculation has revealed that figures such as former Delta State Governor James Ibori, previously convicted of money laundering, could be among the pardoned.
Following the pardon announcement, President Tinubu unveiled a wide-ranging list of national honours conferred posthumously and otherwise on individuals credited with advancing Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Among the most notable recognitions was the posthumous conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Kudirat Abiola, wife of late Chief MKO Abiola, who was assassinated during the military era for her outspoken opposition to dictatorship.
Other posthumous awardees include General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and Pa Alfred Rewane (CFR), among several others who were central to the democratic and human rights movements.
Living honourees include Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN (CON), journalist Bayo Onanuga (CON), and veteran publisher Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), who received his honour on the eve of his 90th birthday.
He said: “As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country.
“In this light, I announce the conferment of the posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
“I also confer posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON).
Others are “Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON)”.
He continued: “I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON).
“Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ameh Ebute (CFR), General Alani Akinrinade, GCON.
Additionally, he said : “I confer the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
