The Association of Ogoni Business Owners in the United States of America, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s decision to grant a presidential pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, describing the move as inadequate and insensitive to the memories of the Ogoni martyrs
The president of the association Chief Anthony Waadah announced the rejection in a statement issued to newsmen in Benin, Edo State on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu had recently announced full presidential posthumous pardon to the late environmental rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and eight other Ogoni men, also known as Ogoni Nine.
Tinubu while exercising his powers under the prerogative of mercy, described the Ogoni Nine as national heroes during an address to the joint session of national assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday, last week.
But Waadah, who is also the Executive Director of Legbo Group of Companies, USA, called for a review of the decision and the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the others.
Waadah stressed that anything less than exoneration would be a disrespect to the deceased memory, as well as a refusal to acknowledge the human rights violations and judicial irregularities that led to their execution.
He said, “I am compelled to express my profound disappointment and dismay at the recent decision of President Tinubu to grant pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight. This decision is a gross injustice and a travesty of the struggles and sacrifices of the Ogoni people.
“It is a slap in the face of the Ogoni community and a disregard for the principles of justice and human rights. The Ogoni people have suffered enough, and it is time for the government to take concrete steps to address the historical injustices meted out to them.
“The government’s decision to grant pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight is a betrayal of the trust and confidence of the Ogoni people. Granting pardon to Saro-Wiwa and others is a farce, a mockery of the justice system, and a whitewash of the brutal murder of innocent men who were fighting for the rights of their people.
”The struggle of Ken SaroWiwa and the Ogoni eight was not a crime, but a noble pursuit for the rights and welfare of the Ogoni people. They were murdered in cold blood by the military dictatorship of late General Sani Abacha for their lawful agitation for resource control, environmental justice, and the restoration of Ogoni land, polluted by Shell and its agents.
“Their deaths were a tragedy, and it is imperative that their memories are honored and their sacrifices are not forgotten. Saro-Wiwa and his fellow activists were not terrorists, but champions of human rights, and their struggle was a just cause.”
He insisted that the Ogoni people would not forget the sacrifices of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight, and they would continue to agitate for justice and fairness.
Waadah noted that the lack of fair hearing and due process in the trial of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight is a well-documented fact, and the international community has widely condemned the circumstances surrounding their execution.
He added, “The military dictatorship of General Abacha was the accuser, defender, and judge, and there was no chance of a fair trial. The trial was a gross violation of the rights of Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni eight, and it is imperative that the government acknowledges this injustice and takes steps to rectify it.
“The government’s decision to grant pardon to Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni 8 is a tacit admission that they were guilty of a crime, and that is a lie.”
He called for a review of the case and a proclamation of exoneration would be a significant step towards healing the wounds of the Ogoni people and providing closure for the families of the victims.
