… As MOSOP, others insist on exoneration, not pardon
The presidential pardon granted the Ogoni-9 led by the late Ken Saro Wiwa seems to kick up debates about oil resumption of OML-11 in Ogoni, Rivers State.
This is as most activists in Ogoni are demanding for exoneration, not pardon. They argue that pardon implies that the Ogoni-9 were guilty in the first place.
President Bola Ahmed Bola Tinubu made it clear in his first year he wished to push Nigeria’s daily oil output to 3mpbd in his first four years. Nigeria is said to be close to 1.8mbpd at the moment whereas industry sources say the present leadership of the NNPCL has been given a marching order to hit 2mbpd in no distant time.
Part of the plan is said to be to refire all oil wells, including the controversial OML-11 which covers the sensitive Ogoni areas. The Ogoni criticality seems to increase when viewed against the backdrop of the sensitive Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) which delivers products to Bonny Island for export. Its disruption almost brought Nigeria to its knees few years back.
President Tinubu seemed o launch his entry strategy with an important stakeholders’ meeting in Aso Rock with the Who-Is-Who in Ogoni. It was gathered that a plan of oil return was laid, but participants maintained sealed lips, some asking newsmen to watch and follow developments.
Next, an Ogoni engagement team was set up to meet and discuss directly with Ogoni people in their localities (LGAs) without passing through any leadership structure, something that allegedly angered some political leaders in both Ogoni and outside it.
Soon after, full pardon has been announced by President Tinubu for the Ogoni-9. No negative reaction has been heard from any of those who attended the Aso Rock meeting, indication that it is not a surprise to them.
Instead, other layers of Ogoni society have been kicking against the pardon. Many of them see it as love for oil, not love for Ogoni or Ogoni-9.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) seemed to apply diplomacy in reacting to pardon. It said: “MOSOP said it considered the gesture, announced by Tinubu as both historic and a positive step towards healing.
In the statement signed by Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP President said it is a widely acknowledged fact that few administrations have dared to confront this painful legacy with such candor and daring. “President Tinubu once again has distinguished himself among Nigerian leaders as one with the wisdom and courage to answer a longstanding prayer from an oppressed populace with compassion and clarity.
“His recognition of the injustices endured by Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, and his words acknowledging the moral wounds of their execution, have been received with gratitude across the country and by many in the international community.”
MOSOP however submitted that while the presidential pardon is significant and considered a vital milestone that opens the door to deeper restorative measures, a pardon, by its very nature, implies the existence of an offense.
“In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his compatriots, it is clear that no legitimate crime was committed. His Excellency, President Tinubu, himself acknowledged that their unjust execution should never have happened.”
In this light, Nsuke went on, “We humbly appeal that His Excellency goes further, by pursuing a formal exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow activists. Such an exoneration would be a stronger moral and legal correction, ensuring that their names are no longer burdened by the stain of injustice.
“To this end, the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate and formally repudiate the irregularities of the 1995 tribunal would be a landmark act of complete restorative justice. It will be one that would further cement President Tinubu’s legacy as a leader not only of courage, but of conscience.
“This administration has taken a bold step. History will surely honour it even more for completing the journey toward full justice.”
Supporting the position of MOSOP, another organization, YEAC-Nigeria, led by Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said: “We reject the pardon and call on Mr. President to direct the attorney-general to review the trial of the Ogoni-9 through a constituted judicial commission of enquiry with a view of exonerating them. So, what Ogoni want for the Ogoni-9 is exoneration, not pardon.
“We appreciate the national honours for their contributions to national development and environmental campaigns in a nonviolent manner which should be emulated by all. We call for the national honours to also be able extended to the Ogoni-4.”
Reacting, Tombari Dumka-Kote, chairman, Rivers Indigenous NGO’s & Civil Society Network (RINGOCS), said, “The Federal Government should redress the wrong against the Ogoni people in particular and the Niger Delta in general is commendable.
“But, as the chairman of the RINGOCS, the Indigenous Energy and Civil Society Network, we feel the President should rather exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight other Ogoni compatriots, than granting them a state pardon. This is because, state pardon is only for criminals who are found to have committed the offense.
“Saro-Wiwa and his co-travellers were tried in a globally condemned military tribunal, which have been acclaimed to have been unjust.
“The Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Civil Disturbances Special Tribunal also confirmed that fact, that the Ogoni Nine were not given a fair trial, and the Federal Government should exonerate them.
“And that is just what we expect the Federal Government to do in this regard, and not granting state pardon.
“The move remembering that there is a need to right the wrongs against the people is a commendable one. However, state pardon is not the best. What we require of the Federal Government is to exonerate Saro Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight.”
Sunny Zorvaa, one of the early activists in MOSOP, said the pardon for the Ogoni Nine is commendable. T”hey have finally been absolved of the false charges brought against them by the Nigerian state, which sought to use their execution to silence the legitimate struggle of Ogoni people to have greater say in their affairs, maintenance of their environment and control of their resources.
“It has given the lie to the false claim that the Ogoni Nine were murderers and criminals.
The decision and action of President Bola Tinubu is applauded in this wise and he should take further steps to pacify their families, Ogoni people and indeed all Nigerians who have been victimised for standing up against injustice to their peoples and land.
“The omission of the Ogoni Four in the national honours is disturbing. The personalities in their respective rights deserve all the honours the state can offer to them. But when considered against the background that they sacrificed their lives for the genuine struggle of the people, the omission of their names needs to be corrected.”
He said the Ogoni people have since reconciled the families and people and have made it clear that whatever respect that is to be done for any of the groups, should also be extended to the other. “It is not too late. Mr. President can take note and correct the omission.”
He said the action by the President and the Nigerian government is a show of commitment of the intention to dialogue with the Ogoni. “The people welcome this and hope that the rest of the engagements is carried on in this spirit to achieve a result that will be collectively appreciated by all parties.” He did not demand for exoneration.
Kote Odungwere, however, said only criminals get pardoned. “For an innocent person wrongly accused and killed, he is exonerated.
“So, Ken Saro-Wiwa and the others should be exonerated, not pardoned.”
