Your Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*HONOURING THE LATE CHIEF ADEBAYO ADEFARATI – AN OMITTED HERO OF DEMOCRACY.*
With deep respect and utmost sense of responsibility, we write to Your Excellency on behalf of many patriotic sons and daughters of Ondo State and indeed Nigerians who revere the democratic values upon which our nation now stands.
As the nation recently marked June 12 – Democracy Day and rightfully honoured some gallant patriots who stood against tyranny and fought relentlessly for the birth of the current democratic dispensation, we could not help but notice the painful omission of one of Nigeria’s finest statesmen and freedom fighters – Chief Adebayo Adefarati, the late former Governor of Ondo State (1999–2003), a core member of NADECO, and a man whose name is etched in gold in the struggle for democracy.
Chief Adefarati was not a bystander in the trenches of the pro-democracy movement. As a core NADECO leader, he stood firm against the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha, advocating for civil rule and constitutional governance when it was dangerous to do so. He suffered intimidation, harassment, and threats, but never once wavered in his conviction that Nigeria deserved better.
Beyond his NADECO legacy, as Governor of Ondo State, Chief Adefarati’s leadership left an indelible mark:
-He reintroduced free education and free medical care, two policies that transformed the lives of the poor and vulnerable;
-He established OSOPADEC (Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission), a model for regional development and resource management;
-He spearheaded the relocation and renaming of the state-owned university to Akungba-Akoko—now Adekunle Ajasin University—a move that revitalized education and development in the Akoko region.
These achievements were not mere political gestures—they were enduring legacies built on his belief in human dignity, equity, and progress.
Yet, during the recent roll call of June 12 heroes honoured by your esteemed office, his name was conspicuously missing.
This omission, Mr. President, 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. The absence of names like Adefarati’s has fueled a call for a more inclusive review—one that does not let the passage of time erase the contributions of our unsung heroes.
We respectfully urge Your Excellency, who yourself is a renowned hero of democracy and a former NADECO stalwart, to revisit this matter. The recognition of Chief 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.
Immortalizing Chief Adefarati, whether through posthumous national honours or through federal monuments in his name, will correct a painful oversight and send a powerful message—that Nigeria remembers, appreciates, and honours every hand that helped to shape her democratic journey.
*May your tenure continue to reflect the spirit of fairness and gratitude that you have long embodied.*
#Tinubu
Signed:
*Pius Ade Babaleye Pab*
Concerned Citizens of Ondo State
Pro-Democracy Advocates
Youths and Patriots of Nigeria