June 12: Activists Make Case For Walter Carrington, Others To Receive National Honours

A group of activists under the aegis of Quintessential Professionals has called on President Bola Tinubu to posthumously honour former United States Ambassador to Nigeria Walter Carrington for his role in the struggle for the revalidation of the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

Carrington, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria between 1993 and 1997, was widely recognised for his outspoken support for democracy during the country’s military dictatorship. He died in August 2020.

In a statement issued to journalists yesterday in Abuja by the group’s coordinator, Stanley Dunia, Carrington worked closely with Nigerian pro-democracy activists at a time when the country was under severe military repression.

“Despite being on a diplomatic mission, Carrington took a bold stand alongside pro-democracy activists to demand the revalidation of the June 12 election. He also became deeply connected to Nigeria, marrying a Nigerian medical doctor, Arese, from Edo State,” the statement read.

The group argued that Carrington’s efforts deserved national recognition, especially on a day set aside to honour democracy heroes.

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The statement also called attention to several Nigerian activists and politicians who were omitted from the honours list released by the presidency on Thursday.

Notable among them, according to the group, are key figures from Afenifere and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) movements, including Chief Ayo Opadokun, Pa Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, Chief Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, and Senator Jonathan Zwingina.

Others named include former Lagos deputy governor Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, former governors Dr Kayode Fayemi and Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Reverend Adebiyi, human rights lawyer Chief Olisa Agbakoba, civil rights advocates Dr Chidi Odinkalu, Innocent Chukwuma, and Mike Ozekhome, and the late Yinka Odumakin and his wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin.

“The presidency should review this list and identify others deserving of recognition, including those who have passed, to ensure they are honoured posthumously,” the group urged.

The group noted that the omission of these names has led to speculation that the President may have deliberately excluded individuals who are now critical of his administration.

However, a presidential source who requested anonymity attributed the omissions to human error, noting that even some of Tinubu’s closest allies and current aides were left out.

“It has been brought to our attention that even the coordinator of the SWAGA’23 support group, who played a significant role in the June 12 struggle, was omitted. It was a human oversight, and a supplementary list is being compiled,” the source said.