MOSOP, 31 Other Groups Protest Oil Resumption in Ogoni, Issue Fresh Demands

Bori, Rivers State – More than 30 civil society organizations, led by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), staged a protest on Monday against the Federal Government’s plan to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland, Rivers State.

The demonstration, which took place in Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni people, saw participation from groups such as the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), Federation of Ogoni Women’s Associations (FOWA), Ogoni Living Martyrs, and Ogoni Peace and Unity Forum, among others.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions including “Clear Ken Saro-Wiwa’s Name Now,” “No to Forceful Oil Resumption,” “Justice for the Ogoni 9,” “Ribadu and Mitee, Leave Ogoni Oil Alone,” “Stop the Ogoni Genocide,” and “No Exoneration, No Oil Resumption in Ogoniland.”

Protesters’ Demands

The protesting groups outlined several key demands:

• Justice for Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Eight, who were executed in 1995 for protesting environmental degradation by oil companies and military regimes.
• Full exoneration of Saro-Wiwa, rather than a mere pardon, arguing that he was denied a fair trial under General Sani Abacha’s regime.
• Inclusive stakeholder engagement in the oil resumption process, ensuring MOSOP and other Ogoni groups are involved.
• Suspension of the current process led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and initiation of a new, transparent approach that considers Ogoni concerns.
• Issuance of oil drilling licenses to indigenous Ogoni companies and unbundling of OML 11 (the oil block covering Ogoniland).
• Compensation for decades of environmental pollution that have affected Ogoni livelihoods.
• An inquiry into the killing of the Ogoni Four at Giokoo, whose deaths led to the conviction and execution of Saro-Wiwa and others by the Abacha regime.

MOSOP President Speaks

Addressing protesters at Peace Park in Bori, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke emphasized that the organization, which played a central role in stopping oil exploration in Ogoni in the 1990s, cannot be sidelined in discussions about its resumption.

“There cannot be oil resumption in any part of Ogoni without inputs from MOSOP leadership,” Nsuke declared.

He warned that any attempt to impose decisions on the Ogoni people without their input would be strongly resisted.

Similarly, NYCOP President, Comrade Barinuazor Emmanuel, insisted that the demands of the groups must be met before any oil activities can resume in Ogoniland.

“Ken Saro-Wiwa was not guilty of any crime. He was a hero who fought for the rights of the Ogoni people, and his name must be cleared,” Emmanuel stated.

He further urged the National Security Adviser to rein in Ogoni political elites, warning that their actions could jeopardize the government’s plans for a peaceful resolution.

Background

In January 2024, President Bola Tinubu announced plans to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland more than 30 years after oil companies were forced out by protests.
The President set up a committee, led by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to engage stakeholders and ensure peace, development, and environmental restoration in the region.
However, reports indicate that dialogue efforts are failing, with MOSOP and other key stakeholders accusing the NSA’s team of ignoring presidential directives and excluding them from discussions.

With tensions rising, the Federal Government faces increasing pressure to address the demands of the Ogoni people before moving forward with oil resumption in the region.