In a historic move marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday granted a full presidential pardon to the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other members of the Ogoni Nine.
The president also announced posthumous national honors for the group.
The announcement came as part of Tinubu’s Democracy Day address, where he also conferred national honors on other prominent Nigerian figures including the late Kudirat Abiola, former Attorney General Bola Ige, ex-President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and other nationalist leaders.
This decision fulfills a promise made by Tinubu in November 2024 to address historical grievances in Nigeria. The Ogoni Nine, comprising Saro-Wiwa and eight others, were executed in November 1995 under the military regime of late Head of State Sani Abacha following controversial murder charges.
The full list of pardoned Ogoni activists includes:
– Saturday Dobee
– Nordu Eawo
– Daniel Gbooko
– Paul Levera
– Felix Nuate
– Baribor Bera
– Barinem Kiobel
– John Kpuine
The president’s action comes exactly one year after his administration officially declared June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day public holiday, commemorating a pivotal moment in the nation’s democratic journey.
“Today, we correct a historical injustice and honor the memory of those who fought for justice in our land,” President Tinubu stated during his nationwide address.
The posthumous honors recognize the sacrifices made by these individuals in Nigeria’s struggle for environmental justice and democratic rights, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region where Saro-Wiwa led non-violent protests against environmental degradation.
