Mr. and Mrs. Falana

If the title reminded you of the 2005 action‑comedy *Mr & Mrs Smith*, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins contracted to kill each other, that’s not the angle I’m taking.

Last week, Friday, June 12, marked Nigeria’s Democracy Day. The holiday began in Lagos in 2000 under then‑Governor Bola Tinubu to honor MKO Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. States in the southwest soon followed suit. The 1993 elections were annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, who stepped down in August and handed power to Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government. Sani Abacha overthrew the ING in November. On June 11, 1994, almost a year after the election, Abiola declared himself president. He was arrested on June 23 by Abacha and charged with treason. Abacha died on June 8, 1998, and Abiola was killed on July 7 of the same year. The 1993 election and the 1998 deaths led to the 1999 elections, which brought Olusegun Obasanjo to power. He was sworn in on May 29, a date that became the national “Democracy Day” to celebrate Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

During his eight years in office, President Obasanjo did not honor MKO Abiola. After consulting various advisers, including Pastor Tunde Bakare, President Buhari posthumously awarded Abiola the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on June 6, 2018. The award also granted Abiola the benefits of a former head of state, effectively acknowledging his 1993 electoral victory. June 12 was also declared the official national “Democracy Day.”

Between the annulled 1993 election, Abiola’s death in 1998, and Obasanjo’s inauguration in 1999, Bola Tinubu—then a funder and active member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO)—played a key role. NADECO was a coalition of Nigerian activists, former politicians (mostly from the southwest), and professionals who fought for the validation of the June 12 election and an end to military rule.

During that period, Femi Falana was a prominent human‑rights activist and lawyer who worked closely with leading NADECO figures, though he was not formally part of the coalition. He was more closely affiliated with the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR). While NADECO was short‑lived, Falana’s work for good governance—regardless of who was in power—has transcended the military era.

Falana’s reputation as a pro‑democracy figure stems less from a single organization and more from his consistent activism across multiple fronts: defending detained activists and journalists in court, challenging military decrees through litigation, collaborating with labour movements, enduring repeated arrests and harassment by military governments, and pursuing public‑interest litigation. Representing Fela Anikulapo‑Kuti brought him popular acclaim. He has also represented Omoyele Sowore and is currently representing the Makoko community in a challenge against illegal actions by the Lagos State government.

Mrs Funmi Falana is the Executive Director of Women Empowerment & Legal Aid, a non‑profit that “provides legal aid, advocacy, and support for underprivileged women and children in Nigeria, while it raises awareness on issues that affect their rights, well‑being and socio‑economic status.” The couple run Falana & Falana Chambers, and both are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

On Friday, June 12, it was an honour to be led by Mr and Mrs Falana in a protest demanding that the government address the country’s insecurity. They were joined by their son, Folarin (Falz), a socially conscious artist who uses popular culture to engage civic and social issues. He translates civic concerns into language that reaches millions who do not follow policy debates or read court judgments. His songs include: “This is Nigeria” (poor governance & social decay), “Johnny” (police brutality & extrajudicial violence), “Yakubu” (electoral integrity), “Hypocrite” (religious & societal hypocrisy), and “Two Days Ago – Ole” (insecurity & poor leadership).

We staged a peaceful protest from the Ikeja Underbridge to where Kudirat Abiola Way meets Ikorodu Road (Ojota Pedestrian Bridge) – about 6.5 km. Some of us joked that if the Falanas could do it, none of the younger people dared complain! We were heading to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, but those who thought the day called for dancing and celebration were already there. In Abuja, peaceful protesters had to contend with tear gas from the police. On Democracy Day, o!!!!

When so many problems can be pointed to in Nigeria and the world, I salute this family of public advocates—Femi through the courts, Funmi through the courts and social‑justice advocacy, and Folarin through culture—who continue to lend their time, talent and resources to remind us that Nigeria is worth fighting for!

Aluta continua! Victoria ascerta!

ps As an aside for those who like connecting dots, it was in Ogun on June 2, 2022, that President Tinubu said “Emi lo kan.” Make of that what you will.

• Adamolekun is an active citizen.