Urges Tinubu to honour late statesman, NADECO stalwart

A Pro-Democracy coalition, the Concerned Citizens of Ondo State Pro-Democracy Advocates, Youths and Patriots of Nigeria, has expressed dismay over the exclusion of the late former governor of the state, Adebayo Adefarati, from the list of Nigerians recently honoured post-humously by President Bola Tinubu for their roles in the country’s democratic struggle.

In an open letter addressed to Tinubu, the group, which described the omission as “painful,” emphasised that the late Adefarati was “one of Nigeria’s finest statesmen and a staunch NADECO stalwart.”

According to the group, Adefarati, who governed Ondo State from 1999 to 2003, was not a bystander in the trenches of the pro-democracy movement.
The coalition, while appealing to Tinubu to do the needful, maintained that recognising Adefarati transcends regional interest, particularly that the former governor stood firm against the military dictatorship and advocated civil rule and constitutional governance when it was dangerous to do so.

The letter read in part: “This omission has sparked deep concern, especially in Ondo State and among those who cherish our nation’s democratic history. Social platforms, civil society groups, and political commentators have all echoed the same sentiment: Chief Adefarati deserves national honour.”

“There is growing public perception that the June 12 honours’ list may have overlooked some critical figures whose sacrifices were no less significant than those rightly honoured.

“We respectfully urge the President, who is a renowned hero of democracy and a former NADECO stalwart, to revisit this matter. The recognition of Adefarati’s legacy is not just about Ondo State—it is about national justice, historical truth, and honouring a father and hero who gave everything for Nigeria’s democracy.”