Shehu Sani, the former senator who represented Kaduna Central in the Eighth National Assembly, has named several northerners who spoke out in support of the struggle surrounding the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

The former senator mentioned the names on Thursday, June 12, 2025, during the celebration of 26 years of unbroken democratic rule in the country.

Tinubu honours Shehu Sani as democratic hero

His post comes following President Bola Tinubu’s recognition of him as one of the heroes of the June 12 struggle and the subsequent conferment of the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) during the president’s address at the National Assembly on Thursday, June 12.

According to Sani, the former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, was one of the prominent advocates of the June 12 struggle.

He also recounted how former Governor Abubakar Rimi and Alh Sule Lamido were arrested and imprisoned for their opposition to late General Sani Abacha’s alleged self-succession plans.

List of Northerners who defended June 12

Below is the full list of northerners who participated in the struggle for June 12:

1. Alh Balarabe Musa

2. Col Dangiwa Umar

3. Dr Bala Usman

4. Uba Sani

5. Salihu Lukman

6. Mohammed Arzika Tambuwal

7. Ahmed Joda

8. John Danfulani

9. Prof Jibrin Ibrahim

10. James Bawa Magaji

11. Bukar Abba Ibrahim

12. Attahiru Jega

13. Usman Bugaje

14. Suleiman Ahmed

15. Nasir Abbas

16. Nasiru Kura

17. Dan Suleiman

18. Awesu Wana Kuta

19. Hajiya Gambo Sawaba

20. Col Yohanna Madaki

21. Abdulkarim Dayyabu

22. Lawan Danbazau

23. Awwal Rafsanjani

June 12;SOME Northerners who raised their voice for June 12.

Alh Balarabe Musa
Col Dangiwa Umar
Dr Bala Usman
Uba Sani
Salihu Lukman
Mohammed Arzika Tambuwal
Ahmed Joda
John Danfulani
Prof Jibrin Ibrahim
James Bawa Magaji
Bukar Abba Ibrahim
Attahiru Jega
Usman Bugaje
Suleiman…

— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 12, 2025

Buhari reschedules Democracy Day to June 12

Recall that the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 officially recognised June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and also recognised late MKO Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993 election, which has been adjudged as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria's history.

The 2025 Democracy Day marked 26 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria. President Tinubu, on the 2025 Democracy Day, conferred the National Honour awards on several Nigerians who cut across different fields of life, including politicians, journalists, activists, and civil society.

The awardees are strong pro-democracy advocates, media voices during the agitation for the realisation of the June 12, 1993, general election and those who championed national development.

The honours included the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Tinubu announced the awardees while addressing Nigerians during the Democracy Day celebration at a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 12.