Prominent socio-political activist Omoyele Sowore has expressed that he would have taken legal action against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if his name had been included among the honorees for the 2025 Democracy Day National Honours.
President Tinubu had, on Thursday, unveiled a list of 102 individuals—both living and deceased—recognized for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey. The announcement sparked mixed reactions, with many Nigerians arguing that figures like Sowore, known for their unwavering activism, were more deserving of such honors.
In a Facebook post shared on Friday, the former presidential candidate made it clear he would have declined any form of acknowledgment from the Tinubu-led government.
“If I were mistakenly included by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his ‘National Award’ list, I would not only reject and denounce the award but also take definitive legal action for defamation,” Sowore stated.
A longtime critic of Nigerian leadership, Sowore has consistently called out successive administrations—including the current one—for undermining democratic values and failing the citizens they swore to serve.