Renowned Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to launch an investigation into the unresolved and mysterious deaths of notable Nigerians such as Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, and Bola Ige.
Soyinka stressed that doing so would help bring closure to long-standing national grief and unanswered questions.
Speaking with a group of selected journalists in Lagos on Saturday, Soyinka noted that some Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, may hold vital clues to the assassinations.
Soyinka’s appeal came during the commemoration of Nigeria’s Democracy Day, marked every June 12.
The 2025 celebration saw President Tinubu deliver an address before a joint session of the National Assembly, during which he also conferred national honours on some heroes of the democratic struggle.
While Soyinka commended the gesture, he pointed out that several key figures were excluded.
However, he said the honorees represent a broader community of unsung participants in the fight for democracy.
He added, “I will be dedicating my honours to the memory of Late Beko Ransom-Kuti, who I described as a defender of human rights, champion of good governance, and campaigner for democracy, who was detained and jailed several times by the Nigerian military.”
Emphasizing the gravity of June 12, Soyinka remarked that the day should not be trivialized, as it stands as a solemn reminder of the bloodshed and sacrifices endured during the military era.
“He warned that no one should make light of the weight and importance of the June 12 struggle, as many people died, and many others were greatly injured by the military junta, which killed, tortured, and imprisoned Nigerians at the time.”
This statement also comes in the wake of public confusion, as the Presidency denied awarding national honours to Aisha Yesufu and 35 others, despite rumours to the contrary.
Names of the awardees were officially announced by Tinubu during the June 13 National Assembly session.
Among the posthumous recipients were Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, and Kudirat Abiola, who is widely regarded as a martyr of the June 12 struggle.
In a historic move, President Tinubu also granted a posthumous state pardon to environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, whose execution in 1995 under the Abacha regime sparked international outrage.
The President stated, “I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers.”
He continued, “I shall also 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.”
Each of the other Ogoni Nine was awarded the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), while Ken Saro-Wiwa received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
This is the first time a Nigerian president has officially acknowledged the Ogoni Nine’s contributions to democracy and environmental justice.
The honoured activists included Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine, all tried and executed under what human rights observers widely condemned as a politically motivated process.
