Family of the founder of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Frederick Fasehun has raised objections over President Bola Tinubu’s omission of the late democracy activist from the list of June 12 heroes.
Remi Fasehun, writing on the family’s behalf in a statement on Wednesday, said the omission was uncharitable, ungrateful and unpardonable.
Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day on June 12, a day picked to remember Moshood Abiola who won the presidential election that was eventually annulled by the military ruler at the time, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd).
The Fasehun family highlighted their patriarch’s bravery and sacrifices, including helping Tinubu escape into exile. They also emphasizlsed his leadership in the OPC and his contributions to the democracy movement.
Their statement read: “The President was a direct beneficiary of our father’s activism and sacrifice for democracy.
“Not only were they in the trenches together, Fasehun helped Tinubu escape into exile. To ignore such an inimitable icon as Dr. Frederick Isiotan Fasehun from any so-called list of June 12 and Democratic Heroes smacks of crass injustice and inexplicable vendetta.
“We only hope that in the name of fairness and justice, the President will correct this anomaly and place Dr. Fasehun in Nigeria’s democratic Hall of Fame as he very well deserves.
“Truth should not be sacrificed on the altar of politics, however. Dr. Fasehun should be given his well-deserved historical recognition as a true Nigerian Hero of Democracy.”
