As Nigeria marks 26 years of democratic rule, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has granted full presidential pardon to the late environmental rights activist, Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa. Tinubu also announced a presidential pardon to the other eight Ogoni leaders, also known as the Ogoni nine, who were executed in 1995.
The eight others are Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine. The President, who described the nine Ogoni leaders as national heroes, made this announcement during an address to a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12, 2025.
Tinubu also conferred posthumous national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger on Saro Wiwa, and Officer of the Order of the Niger on his eight kinsmen. The president said, “Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine, and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
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“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.” The killing of Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues was followed by an accusation of murder by the administration of a former Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, and executed in 1995.
Tinubu also emphasized the importance of democracy and the progress Nigeria has made since the return to democratic rule in 1999, noting that democracy has provided a foundation for progress, justice, and unity in the country, despite its challenges. The President also paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari for making June 12 Democracy Day and acknowledging MKO Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993, elections.
