Thirty-two years after risking their lives to demand democratic rule, Nigeria’s June 12 activists have scattered across politics, law, journalism, and civil society — united still by one verdict: democracy hasn’t delivered.
It was 1993. Millions of Nigerians defied a military junta, marched to the polls, and chose their president. Then the soldiers cancelled it all. What followed was years of exile, jail cells, brutalisation — and an unbreakable resistance. Fast forward to today, and the people who led that fight are still very much in the arena. Peoples Gazette caught up with some of them, and the picture is fascinating.
Here’s where Nigeria’s June 12 heroes are now:
🔹 Bola Tinubu, 74 — President of Nigeria
From NADECO ally to Aso Rock. Tinubu went senator, then Lagos governor (twice), then bagged the presidency in 2023. He’s now eyeing a second term. Full circle doesn’t quite cover it.
🔹 Femi Falana — Human Rights Lawyer & Activist
Still in the courtroom, still on the streets. Falana is co-organising nationwide protests ahead of this June 12, calling out rising insecurity and attacks on free speech. Some things never change — and with Falana, that’s a good thing.
🔹 Kayode Fayemi, 61 — Pan-African Policy Leader
Radio Kudirat’s guerrilla broadcaster turned two-term Ekiti governor now runs The Amandla Institute. His verdict on Nigeria’s democracy? “We got civilian rule. We’re on the journey. But we don’t have full democracy yet.” Measured, but pointed.
🔹 Omoyele Sowore — Activist, Publisher & Politician
Expelled twice from UNILAG for organising protests, Sowore never stopped. He now runs Sahara Reporters and is declaring his 2027 presidential run. “We are still suffering to date,” he says bluntly.
🔹 Senator Shehu Sani — Former Senator, 2027 APC Candidate
Once detained by IBB’s regime for demanding Abiola’s victory be recognised, Sani went on to represent Kaduna Central in the Senate and wants to go back in 2027. The hunger and hardship, he warns, must end — or things get dangerous.
🔹 Abdul Mahmud, 57 — Lawyer & Civil Society President
A former radical student leader now heading the Public Interest Lawyers League. He calls Nigeria’s democracy “resilient, but still far from the ideals that inspired us.” Honest. Measured. Still fighting.
🔹 Olarenwaju Arogundade — Press Freedom Advocate
Editor, activist, and now Executive Director of the International Press Centre — his name was only removed from a national security watchlist in 2025. Yes, 2025. He sums it up sharply: “It’s less farewell to poverty, more welcome to poverty.”
🔹 Osa Director — Journalist turned Politician
The former Tell Magazine investigative reporter who dodged Abacha’s thugs is now spokesperson for the Nigeria Democratic Congress. His feeling? “Democracy seems to be in reverse gear.”
The thread running through every story? These activists won the battle — military rule ended in 1999 — but many feel the war for genuine democracy is still very much ongoing. Thirty-two years later, the struggle has just changed shape.
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