Politics
Tinubu Grants Pardon to 175 Nigerians, Including Macaulay, Vatsa, Ogoni Nine, Lawan
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved clemency for 175 people under Nigeria’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, following endorsement by the National Council of State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The pardons include posthumous forgiveness for historic figures such as Herbert Macaulay, Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, and the Ogoni Nine — activists executed in 1995. Among living beneficiaries is former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, who received a full pardon.
What the Pardon Covers
Of the 175:
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82 inmates received full pardon (unconditional release). 65 had their sentences reduced. 7 on death row had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. 15 ex-convicts also received presidential pardons; 11 of them posthumously, including the Ogoni Nine.
The clemency decisions were made after screening 294 cases: 175 individuals were interviewed and 62 applications were received on behalf of others.
Historic Names Pardoned
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Herbert Macaulay — Often called the “father of Nigerian nationalism,” he was convicted by British colonial authorities in 1913.
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Major-General Mamman Jiya Vatsa — A poet and military officer, he was executed in 1986 after being convicted over an alleged coup plot.
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The Ogoni Nine — Including Ken Saro-Wiwa and other activists, they were hanged in 1995 after a controversial trial.
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Farouk Lawan — Former member of the House of Representatives, pardoned for bribery-related conviction.
Also included were Nweke Francis Chibueze (a life sentence for drug offences) and Dr. Nwogu Peters (sentenced for fraud).
Why the Pardons Were Granted
The Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM) reviewed all applications. The committee, chaired by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, considered several criteria: old age, terminal illness, youth (16 or younger), long incarceration with good behaviour, and evidence of remorse or rehabilitation.
The State Council meeting chaired by President Tinubu approved the list, which included also national honours for 959 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, speaking to reporters after the meeting, said the pardons reflect Tinubu’s commitment to justice reform, rehabilitation, and reducing prison congestion.
Reactions & Issues
While many have welcomed the move as a gesture of reconciliation, especially for those wrongly convicted in history, critics argue that a pardon still implies guilt. Some demand full exoneration.
Amnesty International Nigeria, among others, has called on the government to formally acknowledge the innocence of the Ogoni Nine and address ongoing environmental damages in the Niger Delta.
Environmental activists also express concern that the pardons might be used to justify renewed oil drilling in Ogoniland without resolving core justice and cleanup issues.
Final Word
By invoking his constitutional power, President Tinubu has altered records and freed many inmates — living and dead. The effort closes some historical chapters and opens debates on justice, memory, and national healing. For communities like those of the Ogoni Nine or figures like Macaulay and Vatsa, it may be a step toward restoring dignity — but many insist it is only the start of more meaningful reforms.
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The Untold Truth: Fr. Mbaka Exposes The Secret Struggles Behind His Bold Endorsement Of Peter Obi!.
Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, recently responded to critics by highlighting the significant risks he undertook to support Peter Obi during his impeachment as Governor of Anambra State. Speaking during a church program on Friday, Fr. Mbaka challenged the narrative that he has been a hindrance to the NDC presidential candidate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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Defending his history of support: Fr. Mbaka asserted that he played a critical, behind-the-scenes role in gathering the necessary documentation and organizing the efforts required to restore Obi to office after his impeachment.
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Criticizing fair-weather supporters: The cleric claimed that 99.9% of those now vocal in their support for the former governor had actually abandoned him during his impeachment ordeal.
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Challenging his critics: Fr. Mbaka insisted that the efforts he made for Obi during that period were far greater than what his current supporters could replicate, and he encouraged people to verify these events with individuals like Chris Uba and Ibeto, who were present at the time.
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“We Will Rig You!”: Peter Obi Issues Explosive Warning To INEC Over Alleged Election Manipulation!.
During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), argued that the prevalence of election rigging in Nigeria is largely due to voters failing to actively defend their ballots. Obi emphasized that while candidates play a role in the process, credible outcomes ultimately depend on citizens remaining at their polling units to ensure votes are counted transparently. He criticized the “transactional” nature of Nigerian politics, suggesting that many voters prioritize other activities over the essential task of monitoring the electoral process. According to Obi, Nigeria’s primary challenge is poor political leadership, and he urged citizens to take collective ownership of their votes to demand the accountable governance required for the country to succeed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for increased citizen involvement in protecting electoral integrity. During a recent trip to Washington, D.C., Obi stated that election manipulation persists because voters frequently leave polling stations before the counting process is completed. He argued that:
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Voters must proactively defend their ballots at polling units to ensure transparency and prevent rigging.
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Nigeria’s fundamental obstacle is a crisis of political leadership, rather than a lack of natural or human resources.
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Real change requires Nigerians to move beyond passive participation and take active responsibility for the electoral process.
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Call for Unity: The Minister urged Nigerians to prioritize national interest over partisan politics, noting that insecurity is not a tool for scoring political points.
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Criticism of Opposition: Matawalle accused certain opposition figures of exploiting the security situation to incite the public against the government and advance their own political agendas, rather than helping to address the crisis.
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Government Commitment: Highlighting that the Federal Government has ordered security forces to deal decisively with criminal elements, Matawalle acknowledged that while progress is being made, complex security challenges cannot be resolved overnight.
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Public Cooperation: He called for continued public patience, prayer, and the provision of actionable intelligence to security forces to help restore peace across the country.
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