By Ayomide Otitoju
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate an official investigation into the unresolved deaths of prominent Nigerians, including journalist Dele Giwa, former Attorney General Bola Ige, and pro-democracy activist Kudirat Abiola.
Speaking to select journalists in Lagos on Saturday as part of Democracy Day reflections, Soyinka emphasized the need for closure in cases of high-profile political assassinations that continue to cast a shadow over Nigeria’s democratic journey. He noted that Nigerians both at home and abroad may hold critical information that could unravel the mysteries behind the killings.
While commending Tinubu’s recognition of key democracy activists during the June 12 celebrations, Soyinka criticized the omission of certain names from the list of honorees. He announced that he would dedicate his own national honour to the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, describing him as a tireless defender of human rights and democracy.
Soyinka also warned against trivializing the June 12 pro-democracy struggle, stating that the movement came at great human cost, with many Nigerians detained, tortured, or killed by military regimes.
The federal government had on June 13, 2025, honoured 66 individuals, including posthumous awards to Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, and Kudirat Abiola. President Tinubu also granted posthumous pardons to environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, acknowledging their role in Nigeria’s democratic and environmental struggles.
