Former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has alleged that key figures who drove the pro-democracy Radio Kudirat station during Nigeria’s military era were excluded from President Bola Tinubu’s National Honours list.
Speaking during a Channels TV interview from 0:46, Dr. Fayemi expressed disappointment that several individuals who risked their lives for the democratic struggle received no recognition in the presidential honours. “Those who were the drivers of that project, none of them was recognized by the president,” Fayemi stated, listing several forgotten heroes of the pro-democracy movement.
The former governor specifically named key Radio Kudirat figures who he believes deserved recognition. “Mr. Yinka Johnson, who coordinated that effort as our technical director; Gbolahan Olayemi; late Daniel Johnson; George Noah; Senator Sola Adeyeye, he also was a fiery voice on that Radio Kudirat; Dr. Tajudeen Abdulraheem; and so many of the guys who were really involved,” he detailed.
Despite managing the station, Fayemi emphasized that many others played crucial roles in the pro-democracy broadcast operation. “I was the face of Radio Kudirat in the sense that I was responsible for its management, but there were so many voices, so many people risked their lives,” he explained.
While acknowledging the oversight, the former governor praised President Tinubu’s decision to honor pro-democracy activists. “But they were not the only ones not mentioned today. However, one must not undervalue what the president did today. He did the right thing. He built on the legacy that President Buhari already established,” Fayemi noted.
The former governor called for comprehensive recognition of unsung heroes and proposed establishing a national museum to preserve Nigeria’s democratic history. “And I hope subsequently this history can be correctly told, and those involved, those who sacrificed, and those unsung heroes would all be comprehensively recognized, and a national museum would hopefully be established somewhere in Abuja,” he suggested.
Fayemi criticized the absence of historical monuments in Nigeria’s capital, arguing that such facilities are essential for educating future generations.
The former governor praised the late Chief MKO Abiola’s commitment to democratic principles, noting his willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the struggle. “He (Chief MKO Abiola) fought for what he believed in. He could have remained in his cozy, wealthy realm and not gotten involved. But no, even at the risk of losing his life, he insisted that he would not give up on that struggle, and he didn’t, and many Nigerians didn’t,” Fayemi remarked.
However, Dr. Fayemi argued that Nigeria is yet to achieve true democracy despite transitioning from military rule. The former governor characterized Nigeria’s current system as incomplete democratic governance.
