By ABUJA — Retired military officer and prominent pro-democracy advocate, Colonel Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead a decisive campaign against sycophancy in Nigerian leadership, warning that the culture of flattery undermines genuine democratic progress and promotes vanity in governance.
Umar, a key figure in the struggle to validate the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the mandate of Chief MKO Abiola, made the charge in a strongly worded statement issued after receiving the National Honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
The former military governor of Kaduna State acknowledged President Tinubu’s gesture in conferring the honour on him, but expressed deep concern that many other patriotic officers, who sacrificed their careers and lives for the cause of democracy, have remained unnamed and unrewarded.
“While I have been recognised and celebrated, including this National Honour by the President, they have remained anonymous,” he said. “It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.”
Umar listed dozens of military officers — both senior and junior — who played critical roles in resisting the annulment of the June 12 election, including Major General MA Garba, Lt Col Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Major Sa’ad Abubakar (now Sultan of Sokoto), Lt Col Yahaya Abubakar (Etsu Nupe), and many others.
He dedicated his CFR award to these officers, stating, “I therefore accept this award with all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men.”
The retired colonel further stressed that the honour would only be meaningful if Nigeria’s democracy delivers tangible dividends, urging leaders to prioritise good governance and uphold democratic values with “the fear of God”.
Umar condemned the pervasive culture of sycophancy across all tiers of government, describing it as a major obstacle to accountable and selfless leadership.
“Sycophancy everywhere has become the scourge of selfless and accountable leadership,” he said. “It is the reason for the arrogance and vanity we see in our leaders at all levels. Men of straw are widely and falsely being elevated to the position of icons by self-seeking sycophants.”
He criticised the growing trend of naming public infrastructure after sitting Presidents and Governors, warning that such practices reek of undue flattery and contribute to a distortion of democratic principles.
“The other day, the Senate President was reported to have predicted that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 election with 99.9% of the votes! Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement, Mr President will do well to shun such oracles,” Umar noted pointedly.
He concluded with a fervent appeal for institutional integrity, calling for true separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary — and for all to operate with mutual respect, accountability, and patriotism.
“Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms. This must allow for no exceptions,” he insisted.
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