Retired Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending him for recognising military officers and other Nigerians who played key roles in the struggle to actualise the June 12, 1993 presidential election, just as he raised concerns.
He expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s Democracy Day address of June 12, 2026 in which several military and civilian figures were acknowledged.
This was for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The former military Governor of Kaduna State and pro-democracy activist described the recognition as “fit and proper”, noting that those honoured had risked their lives in efforts to reverse the annulment of the June 12 election.
“I wish to offer my profound appreciation for your public recognition of the services rendered by some officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces whose names were read out during your Democracy Day Address on the 12th of June, 2026,” he wrote.
The retired colonel also thanked the President for recognising non-military actors who made sacrifices during the pro-democracy struggle.
According to him, June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and deserves continued national remembrance.
“It is hard to overstate this fact, Mr President, that June 12th is a watershed moment in our march to democracy and its annual celebration is richly deserved,” he stated.
While praising the recognition, Dangiwa noted that other individuals, both living and deceased, who contributed to the struggle should also be identified and honoured in future commemorations.
The former military officer, however, used the opportunity to draw attention to broader concerns about the state of governance and national security.
Referencing Tinubu’s remarks that Nigeria’s democracy remains a work in progress, particularly in the area of security, Dangiwa questioned whether the statement reflected humility or concern over the scale of the challenge.
According to him, the officers involved in the June 12 struggle regarded the protection of citizens as a fundamental responsibility of the government.
“In fact they took the security of our citizens as given; a raison de’tre, a minimum condition for the existence of any government, democracy or not.
“If national security is missing, that would be the end of the discussion; nothing else matters. Nothing!” he posited.
Dangiwa also recalled the broader aspirations that motivated participants in the struggle, including the pursuit of democratic institutions founded on separation of powers, judicial independence, credible elections and policies aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.
He said those involved also envisioned a robust fight against poverty, particularly among Nigerians at the lower end of the social and economic ladder.
The retired colonel noted that many Nigerians had viewed Tinubu as a long-standing advocate of equity, transparency and inclusion and therefore expected his administration to advance those ideals.
“As a long-standing advocate of equity, equality, transparency and inclusion, many of us saw no reason to doubt your commitment towards a better future and a renewed hope for all Nigerians,” he wrote.
Dangiwa urged the President to ensure that the ideals that inspired the June 12 struggle become central to national policymaking.
“So, in order that the sacrifices that those officers and other Nigerians made towards the achievement of the June 12th struggle do not go in vain, I advocate that those ideals become once again the cornerstone of your national policies.”
He concluded the letter by thanking the President and expressing hope that the sacrifices made during the struggle for democracy would continue to shape Nigeria’s future.
More details here...
