The Movement for the Survival of
the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has condemned Nigeria’s House of Reps for turning down
a motion to honour Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others.
The lawmakers said it would be
inappropriate to grant Saro-Wiwa the honour, arguing that his execution was
“duly considered and endorsed by government.”
Rep. Benjamin Wayo (Benue-APC)
said, “While I agree that the environmental situation in Niger Delta is
pitiable, we have to be careful in adopting the prayer in the motion calling
for one-minute silence for the late environmentalist.
“Section 33 (1) of the Nigerian
Constitution says every person has right to life. It is only permissible to be
taken through constitutional means, just as it was done in this case.
“Therefore, it will be out of
order to observe a minute’s silence for Saro-Wiwa under this circumstance.”
Similarly, Rep. Ali Madaki
(Kano-APC) appealed to members to be cautious not to breach procedures
regarding government’s pronouncements.
Rep. Onyemaechi Mrakpor
(Delta-PDP) said that observing one-minute silence for the late
environmentalist or not doing so would not change the narrative that the
pollution and infrastructure decay in the Niger Delta region have not abated.
He said, “The things Ken
Saro-Wiwa stood for are still there, as they have not been addressed. There is
no clean water to drink in the Niger Delta and environmental pollution is still
there.
“It is not all about one-minute
silence. We should be concerned about enhancing the environment in the Niger
Delta region,” Mrakpor said.
Reacting, Fegalo Nsuke, MOSOP
Publicity Secretary, in a statement on Thursday said the people were shocked at
the position taken by the Nigerian lawmakers as it not only misled the public
but also placed a big question on members’ perception of law and justice.
It read, ”It is indeed pitiable
that today’s parliamentarians do not remember that Saro–Wiwa was not only
executed, his body was also burnt with acid. To these parliamentarians, could this
shame be part of their understanding of “duly considered and endorsed”?
”It is quite contemptuous that
these comments are coming from direct beneficiaries of Saro-Wiwa’s execution.
We recall that the “Ogoni 9″ executions led to Nigeria’s suspension from the
Commonwealth and triggered international pressure forcing Nigeria to return to
democratic rule in 1999.
”For the avoidance of any
ambiguity, MOSOP is less concerned about ‘a minute silence” in honor of
Saro-Wiwa” and the other 8 victims. MOSOP is however concerned about the
seeming endorsement of injustice by the Nigerian house of representatives when
it noted that the executions were “duly considered and endorsed”.
”It is regrettable that a sham
is been considered to have passed due process. A trial in which the conclusion
was decided before the trial commenced, a trial in which the victims were
denied every right to fair hearing including the right to appeal.
”We consider these comments a
national embarrassment and on behalf of the Ogoni ethnic nationality profoundly
express our indignation of this discrimination and injustice which is been
prosecuted against our people.
”However, we commend Hon.
Kingsley Chinda (PDP – Rivers) and all other legislators who supported this
motion for their good intentions in recognizing the sacrifices and
contributions of Ken Saro-Wiwa to the enthronement of democracy and for a free
and just Nigerian society.
”We want to state unequivocally
that the 1995 hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others is not only a permanent
stain on the conscience of our nation and our claims to being a free society,
it is a national shame that the Nigerian government would have been curious to
erase by addressing the issues that led to its occurrence viz-a–viz the
complaints of the Ogoni people as contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
”The 1995 hangings is one of
the darkest and most painful history of the Ogoni people. But even in death, we
still hold Ken Saro-Wiwa in very high esteem and as a people with very long
memory, we cannot so easily forget the circumstances in which the Nigerian
authorities killed these innocent 9 on November 10, 1995. The Ogoni people
reject every mockery of their sacrifices for the people.
”Indeed, we have been
severely battered, not only by the 1995 hangings, the scars of a series of
state sponsored repression which came with it remain with us till date. We
however do not want to be convinced that a civilian parliament that should
stand for the people will make us feel,, while we still nurse our injuries,
that we are hated, rejected and condemned in our own country.
”The House’ position on the
execution of our leaders in 1995 indeed frightens us and re-enforces our fears
that Nigeria is not seriously committed to social justice and human rights.”
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