According to The Guardian, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has cautioned against political exploitation, asserting that those who did not engage in June 12 should avoid leveraging it for personal advantage. He warns against historical distortion and the misuse of the June 12 movement by those who were not truly involved.
He said, “June 12 did not begin on June 12, and it did not terminate on June 12. If you didn’t take part in June 12, then leave it alone. Nobody forced you. But don’t invoke it for political gain or to settle scores.”
He made these remarks while discussing this year’s National Honours, calling it a “thematic honours list” that embodies the pro-democracy struggle. While he values this new perspective,
Soyinka stresses the need to recognize the various individuals who played roles in the pro-democracy efforts, advocating for their remembrance as part of a collective rather than as individual celebrities.
He emphasizes the importance of vigilance and moral integrity in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic future. Soyinka expresses hope that by the next June 12 celebrations, there will be actions taken to honor the movement’s legacy.
“This is a prime case, and we’ll wait and see if, by the time we celebrate June 12 next year, we can boast several restorative actions,” he said.
