A moment meant to celebrate Nigeria’s democratic heroes took an awkward turn on Thursday when the Presidency mistakenly listed two living figures—Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Dr. Edwin Madunagu—under its posthumous honours during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech at the National Assembly.
The blunder drew swift public attention and raised eyebrows, prompting a formal apology from the Presidency just hours later.
In an official statement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, admitted the mistake, calling it an unfortunate oversight.
“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included,” Onanuga acknowledged. “Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and should not have appeared in the posthumous category.”
Onanuga assured the public that the Presidency is taking immediate steps to correct the error across all State House communication channels.
“We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms. We appreciate your understanding,” the statement added.
The Democracy Day ceremony was intended to honour a range of individuals—both living and deceased—who have played significant roles in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.
Despite the unintended gaffe, the event saw the recognition of several notable national figures for their sacrifices and contributions.
Observers have called on the Presidency to tighten vetting processes for such sensitive recognitions to avoid future errors that could embarrass or misrepresent national icons.
