Presidency Admits Blunder in ‘Democracy Day’ Speech, Listing Fasoranti, Madunagu in Posthumous Category

The Nigerian presidency has issued a public apology following a major blunder in President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, where two prominent living national figures, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu, were mistakenly listed under the Posthumous Honours category.

The error, which was broadcast live during the President’s Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly, sparked immediate public confusion and backlash.

The event, meant to honour Nigeria’s democratic heroes, saw dozens of activists and national figures recognised for their contributions to the country’s democratic journey.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the government admitted the mistake and described it as “an oversight.”

“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included.

Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category,” the statement read.

Onanuga assured Nigerians that the necessary corrections would be made promptly across all State House digital and public communication platforms.

“We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms,” he added.

The Democracy Day address, which commemorates Nigeria’s return to civilian rule on June 12, 1999, is traditionally used to honour past and present champions of democratic governance.

This year’s edition was especially significant as it included a long list of honourees drawn from Nigeria’s pro-democracy history.

Both Pa Fasoranti, 98, a respected elder statesman and leader of Yoruba sociopolitical group Afenifere, and Dr. Madunagu, 78, a renowned Marxist scholar and journalist, remain active in public discourse and continue to contribute to national development.