The factional leadership of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged the federal government to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate and formally repudiate the irregularities of the 1995 tribunal which convicted the Ogoni 9.
In a statement signed yesterday and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, the factional President of MOSOP, FegaloNsuke, said that by doing that, the government will remove stains of injustice from the Ogoni martyrs.
Nsuke commended President Bola Tinubu for the honour bestowed on the slain leaders of Ogoniland, saying that the announcement by the President was historical and highly appreciated by the ethnic nationality.
He said: “We wish to express our position on the encouraging decisions of President Bola Tinubu, in announcing full pardon for the 9 Ogoni rights campaigners executed by the Nigerian government during the regime of General SaniAbacha namely: Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr. NubariKiobel, NorduEawo, Saturday Doobe, John Kpuinen, Paul Levura, Daniel Gbokoo, Felix Nuate and BariborBera.
“MOSOP considers the gesture, announced by His Excellency President Bola Tinubu during the 2025 Democracy Day address, as both historic and a positive step towards healing.
“It is a widely acknowledged fact that few administrations have dared to confront this painful legacy with such candor and daring.”
Nsuke maintained that Tinubu 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.
He said: “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.
“However, it is appreciably and respectfully 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.”
He clarified that in the case of 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,” he added.
He however, appealed that the President goes further by pursuing a formal exoneration of Saro-Wiwa and his fellow activists.
Such an exoneration, he said, 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. One that would further cement President Tinubu’s legacy as a leader not only of courage, but of conscience,” MOSOP said.
Noting that the present administration has taken a bold step, Nsukeadded that “History will surely honour it even more for completing the journey toward full justice”.
