…..Honors Soyinka,Kukah,Falana,Sani With National Honour Award.
Felicia Asuquo, Abuja
Amid the storm of defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu on Thursday dismissed claims that his government plans to make Nigeria a one-party state, declaring that it is not good for the country.
Tinubu said this while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja as part of activities lined up to mark the 2025 Democracy Day.
“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state,I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of your panic, it rings in error.
“At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria. I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket,” he said.
Recalling his rule as an opposition governor while he administered Lagos State between 1999-2007, Tinubu said he has no intention to make Nigeria a one-party state but would not reject members of the opposition who want to join the APC.
“In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of the progressive governors standing in my region,” Tinubu added.
But Tinubu said the ruling APC will welcome anyone ready to join the party.
“A one-party state is not in the offing. Nor should it ever be. That said, we would be guilty of political malpractice if we closed the door on those from other parties who now seek to join the APC and I sincerely welcome our party’s newest members from Delta and Akwa Ibom States, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Pastor Umo Eno and other members of this National Assembly,” Tinubu said.
In the same vein,President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah,Femi Falana,Shehu Sani,among others.,
Tinubu conferred the award on them during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday to mark the country’s 26th Democracy Day anniversary.m
“I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR),” Tinubu said.
“Additionally, I confer the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.”
See full list below
1. Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON)
2. Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON)
3. Kunle Ajibade (OON)
4. Nosa Igiebor (OON)
5. Dapo Olorunyomi (OON)
6. Bayo Onanuga (CON)
7. Ayo Obe (OON)
8. Dare Babarinsa (CON)
9. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON)
10. Senator Shehu Sani (CON)
11. Governor Uba Sani (CON)
12. Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON)
13. Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON)
14. Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON)
15. Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON)
16. Hon. Labaran Maku (OON)
17. Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON)
18. Mr Nick Dazang (OON)
19. Hon Abdul Oroh (OON)
20. Odia Ofeimun (CON)
21. Seye Kehinde (OON)
22. Barrister Felix Morka (CON)
23. Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON)
24. Hon. Olawale Osun (CON)
25. Dr. Amos Akingba (CON)
26. Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON)
27. Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR)
28. Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON)
29. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON)
30. Prof. Bayo Williams (CON)
31. Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR)
32. Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR)
