Abuja, FCT – The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has formally expressed its profound appreciation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to grant a full state pardon and national honours to the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists, collectively known as the Ogoni Nine. This significant announcement was made on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebrations.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Chairman, Godknows Igali, PANDEF lauded President Tinubu for this pivotal gesture, viewing it as a crucial step towards acknowledging the immense sacrifices made by these heroes. “We particularly salute President Bola Tinubu, who now has the privilege of leading the nation in commemorating Democracy Day—a day that honors the historic June 12, 1993 presidential election, unjustly annulled by the then-military regime,” the statement read. “Of note, we appreciate the state pardon granted to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine, which is a significant step towards honouring the sacrifices of past and surviving heroes.”
Igali emphasized the deep meaning of Democracy Day within Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, serving as a powerful reminder of the nation’s journey and the ongoing need for reflection on contemporary challenges.
PANDEF acknowledged that while successive administrations have endeavored to deliver the socio-economic dividends of democracy, the path remains arduous, particularly for ordinary Nigerians who continue to grapple with issues such as access to food, security, healthcare, education, and the pervasive environmental degradation of the Niger Delta region.
Addressing the critical situation in Rivers State, the group issued a strong appeal to both President Tinubu and the National Assembly to act swiftly and decisively to restore democratic governance in the state. “The prolonged political crisis in the state has created an environment of instability and uncertainty that directly impacts the well-being of everyday citizens,” the statement asserted.
PANDEF earnestly urged all political actors in Rivers State to embrace peace and reconciliation. Drawing on biblical wisdom, the statement concluded: “As people of common faith, let us be guided by the injunction in Ecclesiastes 3:8: ‘There is a time to hate and a time to love, a time for war and a time for peace.’ The time for love and peace has come, in solemn honor of the memories of the heroes and martyrs of June 12.”
The Forum reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to supporting collective efforts aimed at realizing the foundational ideals of Nigeria’s democracy, with a particular focus on advocating for accountable and people-driven governance in Rivers State.
