Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has urged President Bola Tinubu to order a fresh investigation into the unresolved murders of journalist Dele Giwa, democracy activist Kudirat Abiola, and former Attorney-General Bola Ige.
He made the call on Saturday in Lagos while speaking with a group of journalists, shortly after the country marked Democracy Day on June 12.
The occasion included a presidential address at the National Assembly and the announcement of national honours for key pro-democracy figures.
Soyinka said it is important to revisit the deaths of these public figures, as many Nigerians — both within and outside the country — may have useful information that could help uncover the truth.
He explained that bringing justice in these cases could bring some closure to the families and the nation.
He also mentioned that while the president has honoured several individuals for their roles in the democracy movement, there were some people who were left out and deserved recognition.
According to him, one of the most deserving was the late Dr. Beko Ransom-Kuti, who was repeatedly jailed by military rulers for standing up for democracy and good governance.
Soyinka said he would dedicate his own national award to Ransom-Kuti in his memory.
The professor warned against forgetting the pain that came with the struggle for democracy, recalling that many Nigerians faced arrest, torture, and death under the military government.
He called on leaders and citizens to always remember what it took to restore civilian rule.
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