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Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has warned against attempts to attribute Nigeria’s democratic journey to a single individual, insisting that the country’s democratic gains were achieved through the collective sacrifices of many nameless heroes.
Soyinka made the remarks at the NADECO Awards ceremony and the public launch of a book telling the story of the fight for democracy, written by former NADECO general secretary Ayo Opadokun.
According to him, Nigeria’s return to democratic rule was not the product of one personality, but the result of coordinated resistance, personal sacrifice and the contribution of several actors whose roles may never be fully documented in history.
“No one here can pinpoint any particular political figure as solely responsible for the results achieved,” he said, noting that many contributors to the struggle acted in ways that may never be fully recorded in official documents.
The playwright praised the new publication on the history of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), describing it as a timely intervention that helps correct distorted narratives about Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
According to him, the documentation would not only preserve history but also serve as a guide for governance, especially for leaders who should uphold the ideals for which the democratic struggle was fought.
Soyinka also reflected on the difficult years of exile and clandestine activism experienced by NADECO members, recalling their time in Paris, where resources were scarce and survival depended largely on limited external support and collective resilience.
“We were constantly short of resources… but we managed to get what little assistance we could get. Encouragement from friends and colleagues kept us going,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he noted that the movement remained sustained by the faith and belief that Nigeria would eventually overcome authoritarian rule.
He also called for caution in telling Nigeria’s democratic history, warning that misrepresentation could distort public understanding and diminish the sacrifices of key actors, including those who later withdrew from public life without recognition.
Soyinka also called on President Bola Tinubu to consolidate and preserve the democratic foundations laid by the generation of struggle, urging constant commitment to the strengthening of national institutions.
“One of the greatest responsibilities facing this nation today is to preserve the structures that support peace, justice and democratic government,” he added.
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