- Safiu Kehinde
The family of the late Nigerian nationalist leader, Herbert Macaulay, has faulted his inclusion into the list of posthumous pardons granted by President Bola Tinubu, stressing that the renowned nationalist deserved to be honoured independently and not as a convict.
Macaulay’s family made this known during a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday.
While appreciating Tinubu for recognising Macaulay’s contribution to Nigeria’s history, the family led by elder statesman and the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chieftain, Chief Olabode George, labelled the inclusion of Macaulay in such list as wrong and demeaning.
Bode George, who spoke on behalf of the family, held that the late nationalist nit a criminal but a patriot that deserves isolation for national honour.
“If Papa is to be honoured, he must be honoured independently,” George said, speaking on behalf of the Macaulay family.
“Herbert Macaulay was not a criminal; he was a patriot, a visionary, and the grandson of the first African Anglican Bishop. He deserves isolation for national honour, not inclusion in a list of convicts.” He said.
According to report, George noted at the Press Confrenece that Maclaulay laid the foundations of modern Nigerian political consciousness.
“Herbert Macaulay was born in 1864 to a lineage of education, faith, and service. He could have chosen comfort within the colonial system, but instead, he stood against injustice and spoke truth to power,” He added.
The elder statesman further highlighted Macaulay’s activism through the Lagos Daily News, his defence of Oba Eshugbayi Eleko against colonial authorities, and the founding of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923 — Nigeria’s first political party.
“Macaulay’s politics was not about privilege but purpose. He transformed politics from the parlour rooms of colonial officials to the streets and markets of Lagos Island,
“Herbert Macaulay died in 1946 while on a campaign for national unity. He was a patriot to his final breath — not a felon to be pardoned,” George said.
Other members of the family present at the briefing were Erelu Adeola Macaulay, Mr Lanre Oshodi, Ms Mayokun Thomas, Miss Kofoworola Macaulay, Miss Adeyinka Macaulay, Mr Ayo Ogunlana, and Miss Turi Akerele, among others.
The family and their supporters urged the government to celebrate Macaulay distinctly, through initiatives such as public memorials, educational scholarships, and civic leadership programmes that reflect his values.
They added that his partnership with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe led to the formation of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1944, a coalition that advanced the cause of independence.