The Nigerian Presidency has issued a formal apology following a major blunder during the Democracy Day celebrations in Abuja, where two respected public figures Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were erroneously listed among recipients of posthumous honours.
The error, which immediately sparked confusion and criticism on social media and in political circles, occurred during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s address at the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, where the administration honoured several individuals for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
Shortly after the speech, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, released a statement acknowledging the mistake and expressing regret.
“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 alive and well, and therefore should not have been listed under that category,” Onanuga clarified.
Describing the mishap as a “regrettable oversight,” Onanuga emphasized that immediate steps were being taken to correct the records and update all relevant state communication platforms.
“We sincerely regret this oversight. We are in the process of making the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms. We appreciate the understanding of all Nigerians, especially the individuals concerned,” the statement concluded.
Democracy Day Celebrations Marred by Gaffe
The incident overshadowed part of the Democracy Day celebrations, which were otherwise marked by tributes to Nigeria’s long struggle for democratic governance. The event recognized both living and deceased contributors to the nation’s democratic progress.
Pa Reuben Fasoranti, a prominent Yoruba elder statesman and leader of the socio-political group Afenifere, has been an active voice in national discourse, advocating for true federalism and good governance. Dr. Edwin Madunagu, a well-known Marxist, journalist, and human rights advocate, has also played a historic role in Nigeria’s leftist and pro-democracy movements.
Observers and commentators have urged the presidency to conduct more thorough verifications before public announcements, especially when conferring national recognitions.
Despite the error, both Fasoranti and Madunagu have not publicly commented on the mistake as of the time of this report.
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