President Bola Tinubu has honoured Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar(Rtd), a June 12 campaigner and former Governor of Kaduna state, with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). President Tinubu announced the honour today in an address at the commissioning of a 300-bed hospital and vocational training institute in Kaduna.
The name of Colonel Umar, who served as Governor of Kaduna state between August 1985 and June 1988, was missing from the June 12 honor list announced on Democracy Day.
Colonel Dangiwa Umar and June 12
Colonel Umar, as a serving military officer, showed remarkable courage by speaking out against the annulment and advocating for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. His actions were at a significant personal cost, as in addition to threats to his life, he also encountered the abrupt end of his growing military career.
Col Umar reportedly wrote a letter that was leaked to the press to his Commander in Chief, then President Babangida, resigning his commission due to the annulment. He boldly criticised the military regime under the watch of General Babangida for foisting an avoidable crisis on the country as a soldier and former military governor which helped cement his place as an advocate for democracy.
It was therefore surprising when he was not recognised like other heroes of June 12 in the president’s honor list, an error which has now been corrected.
