MOSOP, Coalition Issue Conditions For Seamless Oil Resumption In Ogoni

PORT HARCOURT – As the Federal Government intensifies efforts for oil exploration to resume in Ogoni, the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has listed some conditions that the Federal Government ought to meet to ensure a crisis free transition.

According to MOSOP and a coalition of groups in Ogoni, oil resumption is a welcomed development that would help boost the Ogoni economy while generating revenue for the Federal Government.

They, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the approach of the Federal Government regarding discussions with the people on oil resumption.

MOSOP, which particularly initiated the oil resumption by selling the message to the people in Ogoni, claimed it has been excluded from discussions by the contact group working with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

MOSOP also claims that discussions have been hijacked by some persons who wants to derail the process by not factoring the demands of the people.

The president of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke said the people were not happy with some persons who see themselves as Ogoni leaders and solely possess the powers to decide for the people without truly seeking their contributions.

According to Nsuke, there has to be transparency on the part of those working for oil resumption by carrying everybody along. Nsuke, who first spoke for MOSOP after protesters disrupted a meeting in Bori in Khana Local Government Area, where Ogoni from the various communities had been invited to make their contributions.

But the talks was disrupted by protesters who accused the organizers of already having a pre determined outcome that won’t accommodate the people’s views.

That is also the position of the coalition in a statement signed by Georgina Tenalo, founding President of the Federation of Ogoni Women Association (FOWA); Fegalo Nsuke, President of MOSOP; Evangelist.

Barine Caroline Nagbo; Barinaadaa Wugale, Executive Director of the Ogoni Solidarity Forum, South Africa; Michael Keania Karikpo, Country Manager of Natural Justice and others.

The coalition demanded the exoneration of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni leaders executed by the Nigerian state in 1995, as a condition for the resumption of oil extraction in Ogoniland.

The President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, who read the position of the coalition, said the exoneration of the Ogoni leaders will correct the historical injustices perpetrated against the Ogoni people.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exhibit the same courage and determination that led to the end of the oil subsidy and Forex subsidy in addressing the demands of the Ogoni people.

He said, “We are witnesses to the uncommon courage and grit that it took to end the oil subsidy and Forex subsidy.

“We urge President Tinubu to exhibit a similar trait in dealing with this fundamental miscarriage of justice and abominable abuse of power by the Abacha Junta at the behest of Shell.”

Nsuke demanded the establishment of a Peace and Reconciliation Panel to investigate the deaths of the Ogoni Four, which would bring healing and closure to their families, expressing concerns over the lack of inclusivity in the current oil resumption process.

He also called for a halt to the consultation process and the reconstitution of the facilitation group to reflect the diversity of the Ogoni community, regretting that women and youths were not represented in the delegation that visited President Tinubu.

He said “We have no doubt in our minds that President Tinubu will work to heal the wounds inflicted on Ogoniland by a brutal dictatorship in cahoots with Shell. We also demand that the facilitation group be reconstituted to ensure it reflects the diversity of the Ogoni community and to ensure fairness, equity and justice.

“Within this context, we demand that the consultation facilitation group should include representatives of women, representatives of Ogoni youths, a representative nominated by the families of the “Ogoni nine”and a representative MOSOP and a representative of Ogoni council of Churches.”

Also, the Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP) has described as unauthorized the activities of “some self-proclaimed Ogoni leaders, who are making decisions without the knowledge or involvement of the leadership of MOSOP.

COP President, Hon. Promise Ndinee, and General Secretary, Hon. Felix Zegere, in a statement expressed disappointment and concern over the blatant disregard for proper protocol and stakeholders’ involvement in the oil resumption process.

The statement reads: “Specifically, COP is objecting to a Congress scheduled for Saturday, February 8th, 2025, at the Peace and Freedom Center, which was organized without the notification or participation of MOSOP leadership and affiliates.

“COP emphasizes that all stakeholders, including MOSOP, must be fully involved in decision-making processes to ensure transparency, accountability, and the well-being of the Ogoni people.

“The council urges that things be done rightly to prevent marginalization and ensure the collective interests of the Ogoni community are protected.”

Meanwhile, the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, which is mandated to get the support of the Ogoni people has outlined a six-point agenda to foster peace and development in Ogoni. The committee said it would focus on ensuring that “oil resumption benefits are equitably shared with the local community.”

The committee also expressed it’s readiness in “promoting economic development and empowerment of the Ogoni people through job creation, infrastructure development.

“Implementing affirmative action policies to ensure greater inclusion and representation of Ogoni people in key federal institutions.

It also pledged to “establish mechanisms to resolve inter and intra-communal conflicts within the Ogoni community” just as it “supports the establishment of educational institutions, such as the Federal University of Environmental Technology in Saakpenwa, to promote education and skill development.”

“These points reflect the Ogoni people’s commitment to achieving sustainable peace, justice, and development in their region.”