Media mogul and pro-democracy activist, Chief Dele Momodu has addressed the controversy surrounding his omission from the 2025 June 12 Democracy Day national honours list, stating that he holds no grudge and does not believe his exclusion was deliberate.
In a statement issued from Accra, Ghana, on Thursday, Momodu urged the public to refrain from reading political motives into the matter, while also using the opportunity to reaffirm his continued commitment to democratic ideals and freedom of expression.
The former presidential candidate and founder of Ovation International magazine wrote: “I wish to humbly disagree with all those who have reached out to me protesting or complaining that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deliberately missed out my name in the June 12 honours list released earlier today.”
Momodu emphasised that it is the sole prerogative of any government to decide whom to recognise, noting that honorary awards are not rights but privileges, and may come at any time—or not at all.
“There are well-deserving heroes whose names were clearly omitted,” he said, adding that his personal gains from the June 12 democratic struggle have been more than sufficient.
Read also:
- NBA slams Lagos Monarch over Oro Festival scheduled for June 12 democracy day
- Security operatives barricade National Assembly Gate to stop June 12 protesters In Abuja
- June 12: Ohanaeze seeks amnesty for 1,335 pro-Biafra agitators
“I returned from exile with so many goodies… including the global brand Ovation International, a second address & citizenship in the UK, a third address in Ghana, worldwide fame & acclaim, and so on.”
In a sharply worded critique of the current administration, Momodu said he would have found it difficult to accept any national honour from a government he believes is “trampling on the tenets of democracy.”
“I would have been embarrassed to be recognised by a regime that’s unapologetically trampling on the tenets of democracy and dangerously leading our dear beloved nation down the slope of dictatorship and full-blown tyranny,” he declared.
Despite his criticism, Momodu described President Tinubu as a “big brother and friend,” stressing that while they may differ politically, he harbours no personal animosity.
“I wish to sincerely thank the president for rescuing me from what might have been misconstrued as compromise, arrogance or disrespect,” he said.
He ended his statement by congratulating all honourees of the 2025 June 12 Democracy Day ceremony, held to celebrate champions of Nigeria’s democratic journey.
