Ken Saro-Wiwa, 8 other Ogoni men receive state pardon – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration was ready to resolve the issues in Ogoniland, including granting posthumous state pardon to the late activist and playwright, Mr. Kenule Saro-Wiwa, and eight others.
The president gave the assurance when he received a delegation of Ogoni people led by the president of the supreme council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin N.K. Giniwa, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
He said his administration was committed to engendering true reconciliation and national integration, adding that it was particularly interested in laying the Ogoni issue to rest.
Recall that late military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha regime, had in November 1995, executed a group of Ogoni activists led by Saro-Wiwa who demanded the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to stop oil exploration in Ogoniland because of environmental degradation.
The group, including Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine, were, however, arrested by the regime in 1994, tried by a special tribunal on murder charges and executed by hanging in November 10, 1995 in Port Harcourt.
Buhari noted that despite the gravity of the circumstances, the Federal Government will consider the request to grant them pardon and bring closure to the case.
“Furthermore, we are committed to ensuring clemency and national integration as part of this administration’s bid to lay the foundation for genuine reconciliation and bring closure to the issues of Ogoni Land.
“The unfortunate incidents of the early 1990s leading to the loss of lives of distinguished sons of Ogoni Land and the collateral judicial processes are indelible in our memories.
“Despite the grievous circumstances, the federal government will consider the request for the grant of pardon to finally close the Ogoni saga,” the president said.
He urged the Ogoni leaders to sensitise indigenes on value of protecting national assets like pipelines and other oil installations, saying willful damages usually create more havoc on their environment and hamper development in the area.
He also noted that the federal government is committed to the cleaning up of Ogoni Land so that indigenes can regain their lives, return to farms and reactivate economic activities.
“You will need to educate the people of Ogoni Land and the region more that when pipelines are broken, the damage is more to the immediate environment and the people. The majority farmers and fishermen struggle because the fishes now move to the deep sea,’’ he added.
The president observed that bad industry practices coupled with security challenges had resulted in massive spills with attendant environmental degradation of Ogoni, leading to agitations and strife.
Buhari also appreciated the leaders for recognition of the federal government’s efforts to clean up the area and stimulate more economic activities.
“Your royal highnesses and very distinguished people of Ogoniland, I thank you very much for your kind words and recognition of efforts made by our administration to bring progress to your part and all parts of the country,” he stated.
Responding, Giniwa thanked the president for various interventions in the area, particularly on clean-up of the environment.
He noted said the Ogoni people believe in the unity of Nigeria stressing that the future of every group could only be guaranteed in one nation.
Giniwa applauded the president for achievements in developing critical infrastructure in the country, especially in the areas of rail and road construction.
