Retired military officer and pro-democracy advocate, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), has released a list of 38 military personnel who supported the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

Umar, who recently received the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) from President Bola Tinubu, said the recognition should extend to other unnamed patriots who risked their careers and lives to uphold the truth represented by the June 12 election.

In a statement, Umar said: “When the President informed me of his decision to bestow this honour on me for my role in the struggle to validate the June 12 election, my first reaction was: why only me and not all those unsung heroes?”

Although a leader in the military wing of the pro-democracy movement, Umar stressed that his contribution was not greater than that of his colleagues. He said their sacrifices were instrumental to Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

Top among the officers listed was his then-deputy at the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Col. M.A. Garba, who continued his activism even after several of them were arrested, detained, or prematurely retired in October 1993. Garba later rose to the rank of Major General.

Others named include Lt. Cols Lawal Jaafaru Isa, U.F. Ahmed, M.S. Dasuki, M.L. Gwadabe, J. Temlong, Musa Shehu, Chris Eze, H.M. Dzarma, and Isa Jibrin.

Also listed are: Lt. Cols J.O.S. Oshanupin, A. Oloruntoba (Kabiyesi, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Moke, Happy Bulus, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Cols J. Okai, E. Ndubueze; Lt. Cols Yakubu Muazu, Yahaya Abubakar (current Etsu Nupe), and Maj. Sa’ad Abubakar (now Sultan of Sokoto).

Others include Majors Abba Maimalari, Jamil Tahir, Buzugbe, L.P. Aprezi, M.K. Yake, J. Dawah, Suleiman Wali, Dauda Komo, Lucky Torrie, J.S. Zaruwa, M. Sumaye, Sani Bawa, Ndaliman, Ahmed, M. Bawa; Lt. Col. J.B. Ahmadu, Capt. Junaid Bindawa, and Capt. Lar.

Umar noted that Abiola secured over 80 per cent of the military vote in 1993, a sign of widespread military support for democratic transition.

He apologised to others who may have contributed but whose names were omitted, noting, “May God recognise and reward your sacrifice. I accept this honour with humility on behalf of all of you. This award will only be meaningful if the democracy we fought for yields real dividends.”

He urged leaders at all levels to govern with integrity and according to democratic principles, warning against sycophancy, which he described as the bane of accountable leadership.

Citing Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent hyperbolic claim that Tinubu would win 99.9% of votes in 2027, Umar said: “Mr President must resist the flattery of such sycophants. A true leader must rise above praise-singing and focus on governance.”