Renowned playwright and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has said that the recent honours bestowed on select pro-democracy figures should be seen only as a symbolic gesture, noting that countless others, many of whom died in anonymity, were the true backbone of Nigeria’s fight for democracy.

Speaking to journalists, Soyinka urged Nigerians to remember that those publicly recognised were merely “representatives of a vast movement”, and should not be mistaken for the full story of the June 12 struggle.

“Just see those of us who are honoured as mere representatives of a vast movement. That really is our merit, this little bit. That’s all.”

Soyinka, who was one of those acknowledged by the federal government during the commemoration of the 1993 election annulment, emphasised that the democratic resistance was built on sacrifice by ordinary citizens across multiple walks of life — not just prominent activists.

“There’d be many, many graves for participants on a list like that. And I think we should accept the fact that it’s inevitable.”

He said that the struggle cut across every part of the nation, including the military, clerical, academic, market workers, factory workers, among others.

Soyinka called on the country to not only honour the past but to reflect critically on its democratic present.

Responding to a question about Nigeria’s democratic progress since 1993, Soyinka said, “You know, sometimes one gets to a point where you feel that maybe there is a slave gene embedded in certain sections of humanity. In other words, that some people, some kinds of people, some breed of people, feel happier being enslaved. Otherwise, how explain the spread of the state of military dictatorship, just spreading across the West African sub-region to the acclaim of people?”

Soyinka’s remarks served both as a tribute to the unnamed and unsung heroes of Nigeria’s democratic journey and as a cautionary warning to the nation to remain vigilant against backsliding into autocracy. (AriseNews TV)