COL. ABUBAKAR UMAR (Rtd) Accepts CFR Award, Dedicates Honour to Unsung Heroes of June 12 Struggle — Reveals Names of Military Patriots

Retired Nigerian Army officer and long-standing democracy advocate, Colonel Abubakar D. Umar (Rtd), has accepted the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) bestowed on him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dedicating the recognition to dozens of fellow officers and men of the Armed Forces who he described as “unsung heroes” of the June 12, 1993 democracy struggle.

In a reflective and pointed statement titled “My CFR National Honours Award,” Col. Umar acknowledged the president’s gesture but quickly deflected individual praise, noting that his contribution, though visible, was only one among many courageous acts carried out by military personnel during the struggle to validate the mandate of Chief MKO Abiola.

“My first reaction was, why only me and not all those unsung heroes — the officers and men who risked their careers and even lives for democracy?” he wrote.

While noting that he was one of the military leaders who resisted the annulment of the June 12 election from within the system, Col. Umar insisted that many others acted with equal or greater resolve. He therefore listed and honoured some of these individuals, stating that his CFR award belongs equally to them.

The officers named include:

• Col. M.A. Garba – his deputy at the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Centre and School, who continued the struggle even after some were arrested and forced into early retirement in October 1993. He later rose to the rank of Major General.
• Lt. Col. Lawal Ja’afaru Isa
• Lt. Col. U.F. Ahmed
• Lt. Col. M.S. Dasuki
• Lt. Col. M.L. Gwadabe
• Lt. Col. J. Temlong
• Lt. Col. Musa Shehu
• Lt. Col. Chris Eze
• Lt. Col. H.M. Dzarma
• Lt. Col. Isa Jibrin
• Lt. Col. J.O.S. Oshanupin
• Lt. Col. A. Oloruntoba (Kabiyesi, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
• Lt. Col. Moke
• Lt. Col. Happy Bulus
• Lt. Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola (later Governor of Osun State)
• Col. J. Okai
• Col. E. Ndubueze
• Lt. Col. Yakubu Muazu
• Lt. Col. Yahaya Abubakar (now Etsu Nupe)
• Major Sa’ad Abubakar (now Sultan of Sokoto)
• Maj. Abba Maimalari
• Maj. Jamil Tahir
• Maj. Buzugbe
• Maj. L.P. Aprezi
• Maj. M.K. Yake
• Maj. J. Dawah
• Maj. Suleiman Wali
• Maj. Dauda Komo
• Maj. Lucky Torrie
• Maj. J.S. Zaruwa
• Maj. M. Sumaye
• Maj. Sani Bawa
• Maj. Ndaliman
• Maj. Ahmed
• Maj. M. Bawa
• Lt. Col. J.B. Ahmadu
• Capt. Junaid Bindawa
• Capt. Lar

“I therefore accept this award with all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men,” Col. Umar stated.

He emphasized that for the honour to hold true meaning, democracy must deliver on its promise to the Nigerian people. He warned against the current wave of sycophancy and hollow praise of political leaders, which he described as a serious threat to democratic accountability.

“Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms,” he said, criticizing the trend of naming public infrastructure after serving presidents and governors. He singled out a recent statement by the Senate President predicting a 99.9% electoral victory for President Tinubu in 2027 as an example of absurd flattery.

“To achieve the stability and progress of our democracy, leaders must prioritise good governance over politicking for self-aggrandizement,” he noted. He also called for cooperation among the three arms of government within the framework of independence and accountability.

Umar concluded with a call for renewed patriotism and vigilance, urging current leaders to honour the sacrifices made by the military men and civilians who paved the way for Nigeria’s ongoing democratic experiment.