June 12: Soyinka urges Tinubu to probe deaths of Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, Bola Ige
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately investigate the mysterious deaths of prominent figures like Dele Giwa, Bola Ige, and Kudirat Abiola, asserting that such actions are essential to provide closure for the families and the nation.
During a meeting with select journalists in Lagos on Saturday, the acclaimed author emphasized that many Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, may possess vital information regarding these unresolved cases.
Soyinka’s comments were made in conjunction with Nigeria’s Democracy Day, which was commemorated on June 12, 2025. This year, President Tinubu addressed a joint session of the National Assembly, where he conferred national honors upon key figures of the democratic struggle. While Soyinka acknowledged the significance of these awards, he pointed out the absence of numerous heroes who also made substantial contributions.
“I will dedicate my honors to the memory of late Beko Ransom-Kuti, a stalwart defender of human rights and good governance,” Soyinka stated, recalling Ransom-Kuti’s multiple imprisonments by military authorities.
He warned against minimizing the gravity of the June 12 struggle, stressing that countless lives were sacrificed, and many endured severe hardships during oppressive military rule.
This appeal for accountability follows a recent statement from the presidency denying that national honors were granted to human rights activist Aisha Yesufu and 35 others. On June 13, as part of the Democracy Day activities, President Tinubu announced a list of 66 awardees, which included posthumous recognitions for notable figures like Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu.
Additionally, Tinubu extended a posthumous state pardon to environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, over thirty years after their controversial execution under the Sani Abacha regime. This move marks the first official acknowledgment by a Nigerian President of the Ogoni Nine’s contributions to the nation’s democratic narrative.
“I also confer posthumous national honors on Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow travelers,” Tinubu proclaimed, underscoring the significance of their sacrifices in the fight for justice and the environment in Nigeria.
Source: Channels TV
