Oil Resumption: Tinubu’s planned meeting with Ogoni leaders threatened
P/Harcourt: The alleged planned meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and some leaders of Ogoni over the possibility of oil resumption in the area may be jeopardized as the movement for the survival of Ogoni people, MOSOP, said such a “clandestine” meeting with the group would amount to futility.
MOSOSP claimed that it got a hint of the critical meeting with the President through the media and regrets that it was not invited to attend the meeting scheduled today, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, in Abuja, to discuss issues about the resumption of oil production in Ogoni.
A statement jointly signed by the three factional presidents of MOSOP, Prince Nuyete Biira,
Fegalo Nsuke, and Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu said “While we are not opposed to oil resumption in Ogoni, and considering the impact of the oil crisis on the Ogoni people, we expected proper consultation and inclusivity in conversations relating thereto.
“Hitherto, the leadership of MOSOP has not been consulted. It is therefore surprising that MOSOP learnt of such a meeting in the media. It is important to state that any discussion concerning oil resumption in Ogoni and related matters cannot be successful without the involvement of the leadership of MOSOP.
“It is instructive to note that MOSOP has made significant progress in restoring peace and unity in the organization and Ogoni in general. We hope the non-inclusive meeting will not undermine the peace building efforts of MOSOP and the achievement made on Ogoni Day, January 4, 2025. Furthermore, MOSOP expect that the meeting will not dampen the progress made in persuading the Ogoni people to buy into the oil resumption campaign.
“MOSOP is concerned, and particularly worried that the outcome of the proposed meeting could trigger civil uprising in Ogoni and jeopardise the gains of on-going peace and reconciliation efforts, which is pre-requisite for any real development”.
The three Presidents of MOSOP however urged various interest groups within and outside Ogoni to support the ongoing peace process to speedily achieve a mutually beneficial resolution of the problem.
“We call on the Ogoni people to be calm, peaceful and law-abiding as we pursue an enduring resolution of the controversies”.
