The planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland after more than three decades could face fresh challenges following allegations by KAGOTE that some individuals are attempting to compromise and hijack the dialogue process.
KAGOTE, representing the four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme that make up Ogoniland, also alleged that clandestine oil-related activities may have commenced in some parts of the region while consultations between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders are still ongoing.
The group raised the concerns on Tuesday during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
President of KAGOTE, Chief Lesi Maol, said there was growing apprehension among sections of the Ogoni population over reports of oil-related activities in the area.
The Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) was inaugurated by the Federal Government in January 2025 to engage stakeholders on the proposed resumption of oil production in Ogoniland, rebuild trust and address longstanding concerns between the Federal Government and the Ogoni people.
Maol commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to addressing the concerns of the Ogoni people.
He also praised the decision to place the dialogue process under the coordination of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, describing the move as an opportunity to achieve reconciliation, peace, equity, transparency and sustainable development.
“We particularly recognise the integrity and distinguished public service record of the National Security Adviser and believe that the dialogue process, as conceived by the Federal Government, represents a genuine opportunity to achieve lasting peace and a mutually beneficial outcome for both the Ogoni people and the Federal Government of Nigeria,” he said.
However, Maol expressed concern over the conduct of some individuals within the ODC, saying their actions required urgent clarification to protect the credibility of the process.
“There is growing apprehension among sections of the Ogoni population that certain oil-related activities may have commenced in parts of Ogoniland while consultations between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders remain ongoing,” he said.
He said the lack of authoritative information from the ODC had created uncertainty and could fuel misinformation and tension.
“In my capacity as President of KAGOTE, I have received several representations and expressions of concern from Ogoni communities. Unfortunately, the absence of authoritative information has made it difficult to provide the necessary clarification,” he said.
Maol therefore urged the authorities to clearly communicate the status of oil activities in Ogoniland.
“We therefore respectfully request that the position regarding the status of oil activities in Ogoniland be clearly communicated to the people in order to prevent misinformation, speculation and unnecessary tension,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the selection process, criteria and distribution of opportunities arising from the dialogue and planned oil resumption.
According to him, stakeholders had not been adequately informed despite requests for clarification.
Maol further alleged that names of individuals who were not members of the ODC were being included in a harmonisation list under the alleged directive of the NSA.
He, however, stressed that KAGOTE had no basis to conclude that Ribadu or his office authorised such actions.
“I do not believe that the NSA would take such decision knowing well that such decision would interfere with the independence of the ODC and transparency of the process,” he said.
“We wish to state clearly that we have no basis to conclude that these actions were authorised by the National Security Adviser or his Office, unless otherwise confirmed by the NSA.”
He called on the Office of the National Security Adviser to investigate the allegations and clarify its position.
Maol said such an investigation would help protect the integrity of the NSA’s office and reassure the Ogoni people that its authority was not being improperly used to advance private or sectional interests.
He also accused some individuals involved in the dialogue process of engaging in personal attacks, inflammatory statements and actions capable of deepening divisions among Ogoni stakeholders.
He called for an urgent investigation into allegations that the name and authority of the NSA were being invoked by unauthorised persons in relation to appointments, contracts or nominations connected with the dialogue process.
“We believe that such intervention will strengthen, rather than weaken, the dialogue process and will demonstrate that the Federal Government remains committed to fairness, transparency and genuine engagement with the Ogoni people,” he said.
He warned that if established, such conduct could undermine the President’s reconciliation initiative, weaken confidence in the dialogue process and create unnecessary tension between the Ogoni people and the Federal Government.
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