Ken Saro-Wiwa: Exoneration; Not Pardon! – Says Diigbo

President of Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority, (OCIA), Dr. Goodluck Diigbo has countered moves to pardon Ken Saro-Wiwa after his 1995 extra-judicial killing saying that the deceased earned his place in history as The World Environmental Martyr.

According to him, Saro-Wiwa should not be pardoned but rather exonerated.

Diigbo spoke when he was contacted over the report in The Nigerian Tribune of October 22, 2021 that Nigeria’s President, Mr. Muhammadu Buhari “considers granting state pardon to Ken Saro Wiwa, other Ogoni activists.”

“Buhari has a choice among several options as to what to do with his time; Diigbo noted, but said, “his sudden shift might suggest a change of heart.”

Diigbo likened “the hint to pardon, rather than exonerate Saro-Wiwa by Buhari to a similar gesture by the Anglo-Royal Dutch/Shell Oil Company to some members of the murdered Ogoni Nine families. Shell managers offered them $15M in New York; uninfluenced by moral conscience, justice, and remorse.”

“I had a whole night of conversation with General Victor Malu. Buhari’s influence had the weight of life and death in the Abacha regime. He accepted high risk to control and use power. Now, a change of heart is quite fathomable. I understand the reason; he knows Saro-Wiwa lives on;” Diigbo asserted.

According to the Ogoni President: “It was a wrong calculation, because it led to a wrong result. It was thought at the time that the state murder of a prominent writer and environmentalist; to defy the world; would project the regime to the rest of the universe; as very strong.”

OCIA President said: “even so, in 2009, long before Buhari took office; I stood on the pulpit; the elevated platform in the middle of a sacred worship at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Teyork. I declared that those involved in the state murder on that Good Friday  of November 10, 1995; already forgiven. I requested the congregation to offer prayers of forgiveness on their behalf.”.

Diigbo said since Buhari made decisions, offered advice and had his way as part of the executive, legislature and judiciary in the Abacha regime; whether or not he exonerates Saro-Wiwa and my other eight brothers; that changes nothing. His choice of action, will neither, add nor subtract, from the good conscience of the world. Ken Saro-Wiwa, an innocent man; defended the planet Earth, and is now, immortalized, as The World Environmental Martyr.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG