President Bola Tinubu has been applauded for pardoning the nine Ogoni environmental activities killed by the Nigerian government under the reign of General Sani Abacha in November 1995.
At his 2025 Democracy Day speech on Thursday, Mr Tinibu announced full pardon for the climate rights campaigners; Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr. Nubari Kiobel, Nordu Eawo, Saturday Doobe, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Felix Nuate and Baribor Bera.
In a statement yesterday, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) welcomed this action by the President, saying it removes the stains of injustice from deceased persons.
“It is a widely acknowledged fact that few administrations have dared to confront this painful legacy with such candour and daring.
“President Tinubu once again has distinguished himself among Nigerian leaders as one with the wisdom and courage to answer a longstanding prayer from an oppressed populace with compassion and clarity,” a part of the statement signed by the president of MOSOP, Mr Fegalo Nsuke, stated.
However, the group noted that, “It is appreciably and respectfully submitted that while the presidential pardon is significant and considered a vital milestone that opens the door to deeper restorative measures, a pardon, by its very nature, implies the existence of an offense.
“In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, it is clear that no legitimate crime was committed. President Tinubu himself acknowledged that their unjust execution should never have happened.”
“In this light, we humbly appeal that the President goes further by pursuing a formal exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow activists.
“Such exoneration would be a stronger moral and legal correction, ensuring that their names are no longer burdened by the stain of injustice.
“To this end, the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, to investigate and formally repudiate the irregularities of the 1995 tribunal would be a landmark act of complete restorative justice, one that would further cement President Tinubu’s legacy as a leader not only of courage, but of conscience,” it stressed.