Democracy Day: Group Petitions Tinubu To Honour Abubakar Umar For June 12 Role
A group, Goodnews Nigeria, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to confer national honors on Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa (retd.), a former Military Governor of Kaduna State, for his courageous stance against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola.
The group’s Chairman, Engr. Dauda Mbaya, made the call in a statement released to newsmen in Kaduna on Friday, saying Col. Umar’s actions demonstrated his commitment to democracy and justice.
According to Mbaya, Col. Umar’s bravery was evident in his willingness to challenge the decision of the ruling military council, despite knowing the risks.
Mbaya lamented that Col. Umar’s name was not mentioned on Democracy Day, describing it as an oversight and an injustice.
He said, “What about the unsung heroes of the June 12 struggle?. One of such persons is Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Retd.). A man of rare courage. A man who stood on the side of truth at a time when most people in uniform were either silent or complicit. He was not a politician. He was not a civilian activist.
“He(Umar )was a serving military officer who dared to speak out against the injustice of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. That election, won by MKO Abiola, was regarded far and wide as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history. It was a defining moment that could have transformed our country, but instead, it was stolen in broad daylight by the very institution that was meant to protect the people’s will.
“As a Military Governor of Kaduna State and a respected voice in the military, he used his position to challenge the decision of the ruling military Council. He criticized the annulment openly and called for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. In doing so, he challenged not just General Ibrahim Babangida, who orchestrated the annulment, but also General Sani Abacha, who later took over and unleashed a reign of terror on pro-democracy forces.
“He knew what it meant to stand alone in the military. He knew the risks; dismissal, detention, or even death. But he chose to speak truth to power. And for that, he paid dearly. His military career was cut short. But his name should never be forgotten. He is one of the unsung heroes of June 12.
“If we truly value the democracy we now enjoy, if we understand the weight of what was lost and what was fought for, then we must remember all who contributed. Not just the popular names. Not just those who were part of political organizations or whose profiles were high. But also those who acted alone.”
Consequently, the group urged President Tinubu, who was a target of the military and a major figure in the June 12 resistance, to set the record straight and honor the bravery of June 12 heroes.
“We are saying that Colonel Abubakar Umar Dangiwa deserves national recognition. His role in challenging the military dictatorship must be acknowledged with an award befitting his uncommon bravery,” Mbaya added.
The WHISTLER reports that in 1993, Umar was Colonel and Commander of the Armoured Corps Center and School, Bauchi. He was opposed to the annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election, and started looking for support within the army for installing the elected president M.K.O. Abiola.
In October, he was detained on suspicion of conspiracy, but was not charged. After being released he resigned his commission.
Democracy Day: Group Petitions Tinubu To Honour Abubakar Umar For June 12 Role is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
