Abuja, Nigeria – The Presidency has issued a public apology following an error in the Democracy Day honours list read by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 13, 2025, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, it was revealed that two living individuals were mistakenly listed among recipients of posthumous awards.
The individuals affected are Pa Reuben Fasoranti, leader of the Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu, a well-known Marxist and former newspaper columnist. Both men are alive, contrary to the categorisation made during the Democracy Day speech.
“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included,” the statement read.
“Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category. We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms.”
President Tinubu had earlier named several notable figures for national recognition, including Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, for their roles in Nigeria’s struggle to restore democratic governance.
The Presidency stressed that the error was an unintentional oversight and reaffirmed its respect for the two elder statesmen who were wrongly categorised.
The incident has triggered conversations online and within political circles, with some calling for greater diligence in compiling national honours.
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