As Nigeria marks another anniversary of June 12, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconnect with the Nigerian people and uphold the democratic ideals that the date symbolizes.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday by its National President, Dr. Prince Taiga, and National Secretary, Comrade Gerald Katchy, the CDHR expressed concern over what it described as a growing disconnection between the Tinubu administration and the citizenry.
The group decried the President’s decision to address the National Assembly rather than speaking directly to Nigerians on Democracy Day.
“We have continued to see a sharp disconnect from this government with the citizens of Nigeria. In a symbolic moment like June 12, the President should speak to the people, not over their heads. His choice to address the National Assembly instead of Nigerians further underscores this troubling gap,” it said.
The CDHR reminded President Tinubu that he is a direct beneficiary of the June 12 democratic struggle and should therefore embody its values in leadership, namely, courage, accountability, equity, and citizen-centred governance.
“We therefore call on President Tinubu to lead with courage, accountability, and vision. Let the legacy of June 12 reflect in policies that uplift the poor, protect the rights of all citizens, end impunity, and secure the future for generations to come,” the statement said.
The rights group, a leading voice in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, nonetheless commended the President for recognising some of the heroes of the June 12 struggle. It praised the conferment of national honours on several human rights icons and activists who paid the price for Nigeria’s democracy.
Among those honoured were:
Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Posthumous- pioneer CDHR President and a resolute advocate for human rights, known for his unwavering resistance to military rule; and Prof. Festus Iyayi, Posthumous– renowned academic and unionist, remembered for his intellectual courage and principled stance on social justice.
Others are Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, a long-standing advocate of democratic governance and civil liberties, and Barr. Femi Falana, SAN– a fearless legal practitioner and relentless defender of the oppressed.
The CDHR described the awards as “long-overdue recognition” of the pivotal roles played by these individuals and many others in shaping Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“Their names are etched in the conscience of our nation not just as activists, but as patriots whose sacrifices made the freedoms we now enjoy possible,” the group declared.
However, the CDHR was quick to point out that symbolic gestures, though appreciated, must be matched with substantive reforms.
It stressed that June 12 is not just a date on the calendar but a moral compass for Nigeria’s democracy.
“June 12 is a legacy of resistance against authoritarianism, advocacy for free, fair and credible elections, protection of human rights, and governance rooted in justice, equity and transparency,” it said.
The organisation called on President Tinubu and all public office holders to internalise these values in policy and practice.
It also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to demand the democratic dividends for which many paid the ultimate price.
The CDHR reiterated its commitment to holding leaders accountable and ensuring that the ideals of June 12 are not only celebrated but lived, every day, in every policy, and in every decision made in the public interest.
