The full pardon granted Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Ogoni colleagues, popular as Ogoni 9, has elicited mixed feelings among many Ogoni indigenes.
Saro-Wiwa, Writer and Environmentalist, along with the other Ogoni 8, were put to death at the Port Harcourt prisons on 10th November, 1995 after a jury said to have appointed to carry out a sham trial found them guilty of allegedly masterminding the horrendous murder of four Ogoni Chiefs, including a former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Albert Barde. They were killed in an atmosphere many have alleged to be “premeditated,” and “murderous.”
Meanwhile, on Thursday, June 12, while speaking to a joint session of the National Assembly in a bid to specially mark the 2025 Democratic Day, President Tinubu, not only granted full pardon to Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots but showered them with National Honours. While Saro-Wiwa was awarded the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON, the others were awarded the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON.
However, the President’s gesture has been received with mixed feelings. While some expressed happiness by applauding the President, some are angry over what they see as an act of dancing on the dead bodies of the four innocent Ogoni Chiefs who were gruesomely murdered. Till date, their bodies were not seen in order to be given a decent funeral. Their bodies were burnt beyond recognition.
They say the Ogoni 4 have been treated shabbily. “How can the President honour those who allegedly engineered the murder of our four prominent Chiefs and not say anything about the murdered? It is like applauding them for the murder of the Ogoni 4”, said an angry Ogoni who pleaded anonymity.
Another dismissed the President’s action as politically and economically motivated with an eye on Ogoni oil. He angrily added: “We are waiting.”
An Environmental activist, Celestine Akpobari, has rejected the presidential pardon granted posthumously to Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others by President Bola Tinubu, insisting that what is needed is full exoneration, not clemency.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Akpobari argued that Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues were wrongfully executed and committed no crime deserving of a pardon. He described the gesture as inadequate and misdirected.
But the President honoured scores of other prominent Nigerians, including late General Shehu Yar’adua with the highest Honour of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, usually reserved for Presidents and Heads of States.
In honoring them, the President said:
“As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country.
“In this light, I announce the conferment of the posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
“I also confer posthumous national honours on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).
I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).
“Additionally, I confer the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.
“Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON). I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”
