Tinubu Faces Uproar Over 2 National Honours Blunders

Tinubu Faces Uproar Over 2 National Honours Blunders

Tinubu has come under fire after mistakenly listing two living Nigerian heroes under the posthumous awards category during the 2025 Democracy Day ceremony. The embarrassing error, announced during President Bola Tinubu’s live address to the National Assembly, wrongly classified Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu as deceased.

The inclusion of their names in a category meant only for those who have passed sparked swift public outrage. Many Nigerians were left shocked, especially because both men remain active in public discourse and are respected voices in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Pa Reuben Fasoranti is the leader of the Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political group. Dr. Edwin Madunagu is a leftist scholar and longtime advocate for socialist democracy in Nigeria. Their lifetime contributions to democracy are well documented, making the mistake all the more painful to watch unfold on national TV.

In response to the wave of criticism, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a public apology. He confirmed that the two men were incorrectly listed and that immediate steps were being taken to correct the blunder.

“We sincerely regret this oversight,” Onanuga said in an official statement. “Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category.”

The Presidency assured Nigerians that updates would be made across all digital platforms under the State House’s control to reflect the accurate information. “We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms,” he added.

According to the Presidency, the mistake happened during the process of compiling names of pro-democracy activists to be honoured on Democracy Day. President Tinubu had used the occasion to recognise figures who played key roles in restoring and defending Nigeria’s democracy.

“During his Democracy Day address at the joint session of the National Assembly earlier today, President Bola Tinubu announced a list of pro-democracy activists and national figures to be honoured,” the statement explained.

But this honour was quickly overshadowed by the controversy caused by the mistaken classification of the two elder statesmen.

The backlash was fierce and immediate. Nigerians took to social media to vent their frustration and disappointment. Many questioned how such a fundamental error could go unchecked, especially during a highly publicised and symbolic event.

While some accused the administration of incompetence, others expressed sadness that two men who sacrificed so much for the nation were disrespected in such a public way. A civil rights activist wrote online, “This is not just an error; it’s an insult. We must treat our living legends with dignity.”

Critics said the mix-up shows a lack of proper fact-checking and coordination within the government. For a national honour, such mistakes can feel deeply personal—not only to those wrongly listed but also to the millions who admire and follow their legacies.

Despite the error, both Fasoranti and Madunagu have yet to make public statements about the issue. Their silence, some say, reflects the humility with which they’ve always carried their roles in Nigeria’s democracy. Even in the face of misrecognition, their dignity remains intact.

Onanuga’s apology aimed to ease tensions and show that the Presidency still values the men’s contributions. However, the public isn’t easily swayed. Many insist that issuing apologies is not enough. They want to see better planning and respect for facts, especially when dealing with people’s lives and legacies.

The Presidency’s quick move to apologise might soften the backlash, but the memory of this mistake may linger. Nigerians are calling for a more thorough vetting process before such announcements go public. They also want better communication between departments tasked with compiling and verifying award lists.

Honouring democracy icons should be a moment of national pride. But this error turned it into a national embarrassment. As the nation continues to reflect on its democratic journey, many hope the Presidency will learn from this mistake and take greater care when recognising those who sacrificed for Nigeria’s freedom.

Fasoranti and Madunagu are not just names in history—they are living testimonies of courage and conviction. Their voices still shape public debates. Their wisdom still inspires. It is this living legacy that makes the error all the more painful for Nigerians who look up to them.

While the correction has now been promised, the incident offers a clear lesson: national honours require not only recognition but also careful preparation and respect.