The Sun
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch an immediate investigation into the unresolved murders of prominent Nigerians, including Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, and Bola Ige, to bring closure to these long-standing cases.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, June 14, 2025, during an event themed “June 12: Romancing the Embers” at Freedom Park, Soyinka emphasised that Nigerians, both at home and abroad, could provide valuable leads to unravel the mysteries surrounding these deaths.
The call coincided with Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations, marked on June 12, 2025, when President Tinubu addressed a joint session of the National Assembly and conferred national honours on several heroes of the June 12 struggle. Soyinka commended the recognition of these individuals but noted that the list omitted some key figures who deserved acknowledgement for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Soyinka also criticised former military leader General Ibrahim Babangida’s memoir, *A Journey in Service*, published in February 2025, calling it incomplete. He urged Babangida to provide a fuller account of events, particularly regarding the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, and suggested reading it alongside Professor Omo Omoruyi’s *The Tale of June 12* for a clearer perspective.
In a heartfelt gesture, Soyinka dedicated his recent national honour to the memory of Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, whom he praised as a fearless human rights advocate, champion of good governance, and a daring campaigner for democracy.