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The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (pMOSOP) and the broader Ogoni ethnic nationality have strongly condemned what it described as the continued political marginalisation and systemic exclusion of Ogoni people from governance structures in Rivers State.
This position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by MOSOP spokesperson, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar.
Oscar expressed deep concern that key political actors in the state and across the country continue to sideline qualified Ogoni sons and daughters from strategic leadership positions, particularly the governorship, insisting that such exclusion runs contrary to the principles of federal character, equity, and justice.
He further warned that the pattern of exclusion and neglect recalled painful historical experiences, noting that similar injustices in the past contributed to the extrajudicial killing of the Ogoni Nine and the deaths of thousands of Ogoni people more than three decades ago.
Oscar said, “We watch with deep concern as the current crop of political power brokers in the state and country sidelines qualified Ogoni sons and daughters from strategic leadership positions especially that of the governorship. This exclusion undermines the principles of federal character, equity, and justice.
“MOSOP wishes to remind the Federal Government and the global community that this exact pattern of state-sponsored neglect, economic exploitation, and political stifling led to the tragic extrajudicial execution of the Ogoni Nine and the massacre of thousands of Ogonis over 30 years ago.”
MOSOP called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and address what it described as the political exclusion of the Ogoni people, especially in light of renewed discussions around oil exploration in Ogoniland.
“We call on Mr. President to, with immediate effect, address the political exclusion of the people of Ogoni. This is also the best time for Mr President to express his sincerity of purpose and approach on his determination to resume oil exploration in Ogoniland with the current political situation.
“As people of Ogoni, we are also calling on the Federal Government and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, to understand that the people of Ogoni has made tremendous contribution to the survival of not only the Niger Delta region but also to Nigeria at large and as such it is worrisome and devastating that the people of Ogoni could be mocked at this high level.”
