Ogoni Youths Reject Buhari's Proposed Pardons For Late Niger Delta Activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa And 8 Others
The Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), the umbrella youth body in Ogoni has rejected President Muhammadu Buhari's proposed posthumous state pardons for the late environmental activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed in the height of the Ogoni crisis in the 1990s.
President Buhari recently hinted about possible posthumous state pardons for Saro-Wiwa and others executed by the General Sani Abacha dictatorial regime.
The group, which became known as Ogoni 9, were activists from the Ogoni region who opposed the operating practices of oil companies destroying their environment.
Known as Ogoni 9, the activists were author and playwright Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
They were tried by a special military tribunal for allegedly masterminding the murder of Ogoni chiefs at a pro-government meeting, and hanged in 1995 by the military dictatorship of General Abacha. See Also 
OYF President-General, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana noted that the United Nations Fact-Finding Team which arrived in Nigeria in April 1996 already passed a verdict, describing the trial and execution of the Ogoni nine as unjust, unfair, partial and failing to meet the requirements of both domestic and international human rights laws.
A statement issued by the group on Sunday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Lene Kingsley Lekue, said Buhari's likely move does not meet the yearnings of the Ogoni people.
The group vehemently objected to any plan to pardon their 'Great Hero', stressing that he did not commit any crime against the Nigerian State.
According to the group, Saro-Wiwa was extra-judicially killed by the Nigerian State, and that what is appropriate in the circumstance is a public apology and a posthumous honour.
“We totally reject the planned pardon in its entirety. Pardons are given to criminals. Ken Saro-Wiwa wasn’t guilty of any crime and do not earn the pardon.
"What we are asking for is the exoneration of the name of Ken Saro-Wiwa from the Justice Auta Ibrahim kangaroo Tribunal and for a National Posthumous Honour to be bestowed on him and other martyrs like it was bestowed on M.K.O. Abiola, Babagana Kingibe and Gani Fawehinmi and not a pardon.
"No accolade whatsoever has hitherto been given to Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight lieutenants despite their roles in enthroning democracy in the country with their lives.
"OYF believes that honouring these martyrs would perfect the quest for national healing and reconciliation.
"According to the provision of section 35(6) of the 1999 constitution as amended which provides that any person who is unlawfully arrested, detained and or suffered injustice shall be entitled to compensation and apology from the appropriate authority. Just like the decision of the Court in Chairman EFCC V David Littlechild (2015)LCN/7962(CA)
"OYF also queried the clandestine moves by some Ogoni elders to visit President Buhari without the involvement of the youth. This is worrisome and unacceptable. While we shall settle the matter internally, such inordinate move shouldn’t repeat itself."
Meanwhile, Comrade Yamaabana applauded Buhari for transferring the construction of the East-West Road from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), saying it will fast-track the funding and construction of the said road.
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