The South South Youth Initiative (SSYI), has told President Bola Tinubu that exonerating late environmental rights activist, Kenule Saro-Wiwa and eight others who were hanged in 1995, will foster healing across Ogoniland in Rivers State.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, SSYI President, Comrade Imeade Oscar insisted that Ken Saro-Wiwa and others were unjustly accused, tried, and executed for their activism in defense of the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region.
Describing their hanging as a gross human rights violation and a symbol of the state’s disregard for environmental and human rights activism, the youth leader stated that exonerating them would provide closure and vindication for their families, the Ogoni people, and those who stood for justice and environmental rights.
He said, “We welcome President Bola Tinubu’s presidential pardon for Ken Saro-Wiwa and others. However, we respectfully request that the President take a further step to fully clear their names by exonerating them of all charges.
“Ken Saro-Wiwa and others were unjustly accused, tried, and executed for their activism in defense of the Ogoni people and the Niger Delta region.
“Their deaths were a gross human rights violation, and a symbol of the state’s disregard for environmental and human rights activism.
“Exoneration would provide closure and vindication for their families, the Ogoni people, and all those who stood for justice and environmental rights.
“We humbly request President Tinubu to consider exonerating Ken Saro-Wiwa and his co-accused, acknowledging their innocence and the unjust nature of their trial and execution. We hope the President will consider this request, upholding justice, dignity, and human rights.”
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