By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted posthumous pardons to nationalist Herbert Macaulay and the late Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa, nearly four decades after the latter’s execution for alleged treason.

The decision followed the approval of the National Council of State, which met on Thursday in Abuja.

Vatsa, a poet and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was executed in 1986 under the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida after being convicted of plotting a coup.

His pardon, alongside 16 others, marks a significant act of national reconciliation.

Also receiving a posthumous pardon was Herbert Macaulay, revered as one of Nigeria’s founding fathers and co-founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) with Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Macaulay, who was convicted by the British colonial administration in 1913, died in 1946 with the blemish of an unjust conviction that President Tinubu’s gesture has now formally expunged.

Among other beneficiaries of the presidential pardon are former lawmaker Farouk Lawan, Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Barrister Hussaini Umar and Ayinla Saadu Alanamu, who were granted clemency after reportedly showing remorse and efforts toward reintegration into society.

The President also extended clemency to 82 inmates nationwide and reduced the prison terms of 65 others.

Seven death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

The recommendations stemmed from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM), chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

In a move widely hailed as symbolic, President Tinubu formally pardoned the Ogoni Nine — Ken Saro-Wiwa, Baribor Bera, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine — whose 1995 execution by the General Sanni Abacha regime drew global condemnation.

In addition, the President conferred national honours posthumously on the Ogoni Four: Chief Albert Badey, Chief Edward Kobani, Chief Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage.

The PACPM report presented to the Council of State noted that 175 inmates were interviewed, and 294 applications reviewed.

Eighty-two inmates were recommended for clemency, 65 for term reductions, seven death row inmates for commutation, and 15 ex-convicts for presidential pardons.

Eleven of the ex-convicts, including the Ogoni Nine, were deceased.

According to the committee, criteria for mercy included old age, terminal illness, youthfulness, exemplary conduct, long service of prison terms, and vocational rehabilitation.

The committee, inaugurated by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in January 2025, includes representatives from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, National Human Rights Commission, Christian Association of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), announced the development in a statement on Thursday.