In a historic move to promote national reconciliation and justice, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted a full presidential pardon to the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others collectively known as the Ogoni Nine. The announcement was made during the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations in Abuja.
President Tinubu’s decision marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s human rights and democratic journey. Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni activists were executed in 1995 under the military regime of General Sani Abacha after a controversial trial that sparked global outrage and led to Nigeria’s suspension from the Commonwealth.
“Today, I announce a full and unconditional presidential pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other Ogoni patriots. It is time to heal old wounds and reaffirm our commitment to justice and reconciliation,” President Tinubu declared.
In addition to the pardons, posthumous national honours were conferred on the Ogoni Nine, officially recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to the fight for environmental justice and civil rights in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region.
Other honourees included:
- Kudirat Abiola – Activist and wife of late MKO Abiola
- Chief Bola Ige – Former Attorney General and political icon
- President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – Former Chief of Staff and democracy advocate
- Several other nationalists who contributed to Nigeria’s democratic evolution
Ken Saro-Wiwa, a renowned writer and leader of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), had led peaceful protests against oil pollution in Ogoniland, holding multinational corporations accountable for decades of environmental degradation.
His execution drew international condemnation, and his legacy remains a rallying cry for environmental justice and human rights in Nigeria and beyond.
President Tinubu emphasized that the Democracy Day celebration is not only a reflection on Nigeria’s democratic strides but also an opportunity to correct past wrongs and promote national healing.
“Our democracy is deepened when we face the truth of our past and choose reconciliation over resentment,” he added.
With the presidential pardon and the conferment of national honours, the Tinubu administration has taken a bold step toward restorative justice, acknowledging the pain of the past and embracing a forward-looking path of unity, healing, and progress.
Stay with FaceToface TV for full coverage of Democracy Day 2025, including exclusive interviews, national reactions, and in-depth analysis of what this means for Nigeria’s democratic future.
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