…. Calls for Wider Consultation
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tread cautiously on the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, warning that inadequate consultation has fueled growing tension and division among groups in the area.
MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, made the appeal in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that the ongoing disagreements between proponents and opponents of the oil resumption call for restraint and dialogue rather than confrontation.
Nsuke urged the Ogoni people to remain calm and expressed optimism that President Tinubu would adopt a more inclusive approach that allows the Ogoni people to collectively decide their position on the issue.
He clarified that MOSOP was not involved in the recent moves toward restarting oil exploration in Ogoniland and disowned the report purportedly submitted to the president on behalf of the people.
“I am not aware of any Ogoni General Assembly, Congress, MOSOP Central Committee, or Executive Committee meeting that approved the report recently presented to Mr. President. Therefore, I can emphatically state that MOSOP and the grassroots of Ogoni have been alienated from the process,” Nsuke stated.
While acknowledging the flawed process, Nsuke said the situation could still be corrected if stakeholders are willing to engage sincerely. He called for a transparent dialogue with all interest groups to arrive at a truly representative and widely accepted position.
“Let us tell ourselves the truth — tensions are high and palpable. We need to talk to ourselves and allow proper discussions that can lead to acceptable compromises so we can move forward. The way it stands, we have not done it right,” he said.
The MOSOP President also appealed to all parties to maintain civility in their engagements, cautioning supporters of oil resumption against using threats or intimidation.
“I urge all parties to remain civil. We are all Ogonis, and I encourage us to resolve our differences peacefully rather than escalate them. On oil resumption, we simply need to do more work to get everyone aligned,” Nsuke added.
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