In a controversial statement made during an appearance on ARISE TV’s Morning Show, Senator Ben Birabi, a former representative of Rivers South East in the National Assembly, declared that the Ogoni 9, widely regarded as martyrs by some, should instead be viewed as “killers.” The remarks have sparked heated debate across Nigeria, particularly in the Ogoni region, where the legacy of the nine activists executed in 1995 remains a deeply emotive issue.
The Ogoni 9, including prominent environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, were executed by the Nigerian military government following their campaign against environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in Ogoniland. Their deaths galvanised global attention to the plight of the Ogoni people and the environmental impact of oil companies in the Niger Delta. However, Senator Birabi’s comments challenge the narrative of heroism surrounding the group.
“They are not martyrs; they are killers,” Birabi stated on the programme, according to a post on ARISE TV’s official X account. While the senator did not elaborate further on the show, as reported by the outlet, his remarks appear to reference long-standing allegations that the Ogoni 9 were involved in the deaths of four Ogoni chiefs in 1994, a charge that led to their trial and execution. These allegations remain contentious, with supporters of the Ogoni 9 arguing that the trial was a sham designed to silence their activism.
The statement comes at a time of renewed focus on Ogoniland, following recent discussions between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni stakeholders about resuming oil exploration in the region. Birabi, a signatory to the 1990 Ogoni Bill of Rights, has previously expressed frustration with the government’s handling of Ogoni issues, accusing successive administrations of insincerity and failing to address environmental and developmental concerns.
Public reaction to Birabi’s comments has been polarised. On X, some users echoed the senator’s sentiments, pointing to the violent unrest in Ogoniland during the early 1990s. Others condemned the remarks as a betrayal of the Ogoni struggle, accusing Birabi of undermining the sacrifices made by Saro-Wiwa and his colleagues. One post by user @DONUKOGBARA, referencing the murders of four Ogoni dignitaries, suggested that the Ogoni 9 should not be honoured, aligning with Birabi’s perspective.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), a key advocacy group, has yet to issue an official response to Birabi’s statements. However, community leaders in Ogoniland have called for calm, urging residents to avoid actions that could reignite tensions in the region.
Senator Birabi’s comments have reignited a complex debate about the legacy of the Ogoni 9 and the broader struggle for justice in the Niger Delta. As Nigeria grapples with ongoing environmental and economic challenges in the region, the senator’s remarks are likely to fuel further discussion about truth, reconciliation, and the path forward for Ogoniland.
