Dr Layo Adebiyi, a pro-democracy activist, has warned that any coalition formed against President Bola Tinubu’s second term will collapse before the 2027 election.

He gave this warning during a news conference held in Ikeja on Thursday to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day.

Adebiyi, once imprisoned under Gen.

He said Awolowo made significant efforts to develop Nigeria but was repeatedly denied the opportunity to lead the nation.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by Abiola’s son, Alh. Lekan Abiola, Adebiyi said he was inspired to write a book on the acclaimed winner of June 12 presidential polls.

The book, he explained, aims to help Nigerians understand the real political manoeuvres behind the scenes of national leadership.

He said: “Awolowo tried to offer national development as President, but he was never allowed the opportunity.

“Abiola won a clear mandate and was loved by the people, but he too was stopped by unseen political forces.

“I’m writing this book to warn that Tinubu represents both Awolowo and Abiola’s legacy, and must not be denied like them.

“The book reveals the realities of Nigeria’s political chess game. I had no initial plan to make it public.”

According to Adebiyi, Abiola’s son insisted on a public launch after reading the manuscript and recognising its historical importance.

He said Lekan Abiola believed the book offered Nigerians access to the true story of his father’s political life.

Adebiyi also recalled that 27 years have passed since Abiola was killed on the day he was meant to be released.

He added that the man who annulled the 1993 election has since revealed the motives behind the act in his memoir, ‘A Journey in Service.’

Lekan Abiola said he once believed nothing new could be written about his father or the history of Nigerian democracy.

However, his mind changed after reading Adebiyi’s manuscript, which detailed his father’s life and political journey across Africa.

He said it helped him understand his father’s wider contributions to the Nigerian society and the global black community.

Lekan noted that while many viewed Abiola as just a politician, the book exposed deeper forces that undermined his ambitions.

He said the annulment of the 1993 election was premeditated, rooted in old  political doctrines that resisted power shift.

What struck him most was Adebiyi’s analysis predicting a potential political alliance against President Tinubu’s re-election plans.

“After reading the manuscript, I insisted on a public launch to enlighten Nigerians and democracy advocates,” Lekan said. (NAN)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has described President Bola Tinubu as a nationalist par excellence for giving national honours to some deserving Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday conferred a posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Kudirat Abiola, describing her as the heroine of the June 12 struggle.

Tinubu honoured Kudirat ,wife of winner of the celebrated election,MKO Abiola, and other heroes of democracy during his address at the Joint Session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day 2025.

Reacting on the list of beneficiaries, Mr Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State APC Spokesman, told NAN that the President had again proven himself as a true nationalist.

According to him, the national honours bestowed on late Mrs Abiola and her co-travelers in the struggle for the democracy, show Mr President as a firm believer in the labour of  the nation’s heroes and heroines.

“Mr President, a nationalist par excellence is a firm believer that the labour of our heroes , past and present, should not be in vain,

“He has set a good precedent for other patriots to know that their sacrifices for the nation will always be appropriately acknowledged and rewarded.

“It’s worthy of note that it has taken the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency to accord the well earned pride of place to these worthy martyrs of our nascent democracy.”

NAN reports that the President also conferred posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR) and Bagauda Kaltho (OON).

Others are: Chima Ubani (OON), Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON) and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON).

Dr Edwin Madunagu bagged the CON honour; Dr Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).

Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON) and Mr Bayo Onanuga (CON) were also honoured by Tinubu.

Other beneficiaries are Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON), Gov. Uba Sani (CON), Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Luke Aghanenu (OON) and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).

Also among the beneficiaries are Mr Labaran Maku (OON), Dr Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Felix Morka (CON), Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON) and Dr Amos Akingba (CON).

Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR) and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR) were also honoured.

Additionally, the president conferred the national honour of CON on Sam Amuka Pemu, publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, who he said remained true to his lifetime calling as he marked his 90th birthday on Friday.

“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON) and Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).

“I shall also be exercising my powers under the Prerogative of Mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.

The president decorated the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the  national honours earlier conferred upon them in 2024.

Those decorations were Sen. Godswill Akpabio, GCON; Mr Abbas Tajudeen, GCON – Speaker, Sen. Jibrin Barau, CFR – Deputy Senate President and Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker. (NAN)

 The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles, expressing full support for President Bola Tinubu’s policies and programmes.

Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja while congratulating Nigerians on the occasion of the 2025 June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.

“Democratic governance remains the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges, and this administration is putting democracy to work for the economy, peace, well-being, and security of all our people.

“We commend Nigerians for their patient support of President Tinubu’s administration and for enduring the transient difficulties faced.

“As the president continues to tackle our national challenges at their roots, with evident signs of a steadily rebounding economy, we stand firmly with him and his administration’s valiant efforts to build a brighter future for all Nigerians,” Morka said.

He described Democracy Day as a worthy occasion of collective pride as the nation continued to consolidate democracy and entrench progress for current and future generations.

“Democracy stands as the preferred mode of governance not because of its perfection, but because, even in its imperfections, it affords citizens the finest opportunity to exercise their sovereign right to freely choose those who govern them.

“In its fundamental elements, democracy represents the most profound recognition and protection of the rule of law and fundamental liberties compared to other governance models,” Morka explained.

He expressed gratitude to compatriots for their vision, courage, and love of country, who sacrificed through struggles to end arbitrariness, oppressive military tyranny, and dictatorship for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He said as the nation marked Democracy Day, Nigeria was led by one of democracy’s finest, fearless, and resilient champions, President Tinubu, a visionary leader.

Morka described Tinubu as a bold reformer, adding that under his watch, the country had risen to tackle deep-seated structural challenges hindering national growth and development.

According to him, Tinubu’s policies, designed to promote social and economic inclusion, have secured improved minimum wage, access to student loans, and better healthcare, among others.

He highlighted that the administration had achieved financial autonomy for Local Governments and increased federal allocations to states.

“The administration is now positioned to pay off loans and improve service and infrastructure delivery, while tertiary institutions are better funded, and incessant strikes have been abated.

“The era of politicised and polarising conflicts among democratic institutions is far behind us.

“It has been replaced by an evolving culture of institutional autonomy anchored on a shared commitment to promoting the common good of Nigerians.

“The peaceful and collaborative relationship between the Executive and Legislative branches, backed by a vibrant and independent Judiciary, has proven more creative for progress in our country than ever before,” Morka said.

He acknowledged that in spite of growing insecurity in the Sahel region and its spillover impact on Nigeria, the Tinubu-led administration continued to tackle insecurity with ironclad resolve and many recorded successes nationwide.(NAN)