MOSOP, 31 other groups protest in Ogoni, threaten to shut down oil resumption process 

Other groups that participated in the march include: the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP), the Federation of Ogoni Women’s Associations (FOWA), the Ogoni Living Martyrs, and the Ogoni Peace and Unity Forum, among others.

At the protest on Monday in Bori, protesters were armed with placards carrying various inscriptions such as “Clear Ken Saro Wiwa Name now,” “No to forceful oil resumption,” “We want justice for Ogoni 9,” “Ribadu and Mitee leave Ogoni oil alone,” “Stop the Ogoni genocide,” and “No exoneration, no oil resumption in Ogoniland.” 

The protesting groups made the following demands:

Addressing protesters at the Peace Park in Bori, the President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke maintained that MOSOP championed the struggles that led to the end of oil drilling in Ogoni in the 90s, so the group cannot be excluded from the process of resuming oil drilling by the government.

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

“We will not accept any decision that is imposed on us without our input. We will resist any attempt to marginalize us or to ignore our rights,” he added.

The President of NYCOP, Comrade Barinuazor Emmanuel, stressed that the demands of the groups must be met before oil exploration can be allowed to resume in Ogoniland.

He said, “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 appealed to the national security adviser to call the Ogoni political class to order, as their actions may sabotage the president’s plan for a peaceful oil resumption process.

“We are not asking for too much. We want the federal government to recognize our rights as Ogoni people and to involve us in the decision-making process regarding oil exploration in our land,” Emmanuel said.