When President Bola Tinubu phoned to inform retired Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar that he would receive the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), Umar’s first reaction was not of pride — but reflection.
“Why only me and not all those unsung heroes?” he asked, according to him in a recent op=ed he wrote titled, “My CFR National Honours Award“.
He said he referenced many officers who risked everything to stand for the June 12 struggle besides himself. “Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs,” he wrote in his article.
He described these men as patriots, many of whom acted quietly and courageously. “They have remained anonymous,” he said, adding, “It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots.”
The Real Heroes of June 12
Umar recalled how Chief MKO Abiola secured over 80% of the Armed Forces’ votes, proving widespread military support for his mandate. He listed over 40 officers who played key roles in resisting the annulment.
Top of the list was Col. M.A. Garba, his deputy at the Armoured Corps, who “continued with the execution of our plans after some of us were arrested, detained, and mercifully retired in October 1993.”
Others included officers like Lt. Col. Olagunsoye Oyinlola, now a former governor, and Maj. Saad Abubakar, the current Sultan of Sokoto. Umar added, “This list is by no means exhaustive… May God recognise and reward your sacrifice,” he wrote.
‘Mr President Must Wage War Against Sycophancy’
Umar nonetheless said he accepted the award with “all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men.” But he warned that the real value of their struggle lies in how democracy serves the people.
“This award will be doubly more meaningful if the democracy we all fought for delivers the real dividends,” he said.
He criticised the rise of sycophancy in Nigerian politics, lamenting, “Men of straw are widely and falsely being elevated to the position of icons by self-seeking sycophants.”
Umar urged President Tinubu to reject such adulation, referencing the Senate President’s claim that Tinubu would win the 2027 election with 99.9% of votes. “Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement, Mr President will do well to shun such oracles.”
“Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms… It must allow for no exceptions.”
Who Is Col Umar Rtd.
Abubakar Umar was born on 21 September 1949. He was appointed the governor of Kaduna state from August 1985 to June 1988 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
He joined the Nigerian Army in 1967 and held various positions, including ADC to Major General Hassan Usman Katsina, Deputy Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, and General Staff Officer in the Department of Armour. After the 1985 coup, Umar was appointed Governor of Kaduna State and later promoted to Lt. Colonel.
During his time in office, he faced a religious crisis and was unpopular with all sides of the dispute. In 1993, he was Colonel and Commander of the Armoured Corps Center and School and opposed the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.
After retiring, Umar became chairman and chief executive of Work and Worship (Gas Company) Nigeria Limited, Kaduna. He was a vocal critic of the General Sani Abacha regime and joined the G-18 group of politicians that publicly opposed Abacha’s plan to become president.
Umar stressed the importance of dialogue to resolve the Boko Haram insurgency and called for unity of purpose and the federal government to unite the public against Boko Haram.
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