Ogoni Diaspora Groups Reject Tinubu’s Posthumous Pardon For Saro-Wiwa, Others

Two prominent Ogoni diaspora organisations based in the United States have flatly rejected the posthumous presidential pardon and national honours recently granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight others executed in 1995 by the military regime of General Sani Abacha.

The groups namely the National Union of Ogoni Students International (NUOS INT’L USA) and the Centre for Democracy, Human Rights and Anti-Corruption International (CDHRAC INT’L USA) described the move as “a strategic political gesture” that fails to address the deep wounds and historical injustice suffered by the Ogoni people of Rivers State.

In a joint statement signed by Mr Pius Nwinee, President of NUOS INT’L USA, and Mr Cornelius Dumerenee, Coordinator of CDHRAC INT’L USA, they dismissed the gesture as lacking substance and accountability.

“A pardon implies guilt but exoneration is a declaration of innocence. What happened in 1995 was a state-sponsored execution of innocent men who were convicted on trumped-up charges without due process. We cannot accept a symbolic pardon in place of truth and justice.”

The organisations criticised both President Tinubu’s gesture and the earlier 2005 pardon by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, arguing that neither move has brought any tangible form of redress or closure to the families of the Ogoni Nine or to the larger Ogoni community.

“Such awards cannot heal the years of environmental degradation, systemic neglect, and state violence endured by the people of Ogoniland,” they said.

Beyond the rejection of the pardon, the groups demanded the establishment of an independent judicial commission to revisit the trial and execution of the Ogoni Nine.

They also called for the prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in the 1995 executions, the destruction of 17 Ogoni villages, and the killing of over 100 civilians during military operations allegedly instigated by Royal Dutch Shell in collaboration with the Nigerian government.

In a strongly worded rebuke, the diaspora organisations also warned against the re-entry of any oil companies under any guise into Ogoniland without the consent of the people.

“We reject any imposition of oil firms on our land. After the innocent and wrongful deaths of the Ogoni Nine, no political statement or presidential speech will erase the need for justice,” they said.

The statement further dismissed what it described as the antics of “Ogoni ‘running stomach’ politicians”, calling on them to seek education on the legal distinctions between pardon and exoneration, and to stop using the tragedy of 1995 for personal political gain.

Sodiq Lawal

Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.

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