A new crisis appears to be brewing in Ogoni Kingdom, Rivers State, as the federal government’s ongoing consultations about resuming oil exploration in the region have reportedly excluded the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) from the discussion process. MOSOP, which was instrumental in the fight that led to Shell’s departure from Ogoni in the 1990s, has expressed dissatisfaction over its exclusion and the implications this could have on the future of the people of Ogoni and their natural resources.
The President of MOSOP, Fegalo Nsuke, speaking at a meeting with kingdom coordinators of the movement in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, on Monday, February 19, 2025, called for calm and urged the people of Ogoni to avoid actions that could lead to further conflict in the region. However, his statements underscored the depth of concern and the possibility of unrest if the situation remains unresolved.
Nsuke painted a grim picture of the situation, warning that failure to include MOSOP in these talks could lead to a repeat of the violence and instability that marked Ogoni’s history in the 1990s when the community fiercely opposed the exploitation of its oil resources. The Federal Government’s decision to establish a four-person consultation team without consulting MOSOP, according to Nsuke, reflects a “serious error in judgment.”
“I am here to speak to you as the president of MOSOP, an organization that has long fought for the rights of the Ogoni people and for the protection of our land. This exclusion is an insult to the sacrifices made by our forebears and the lives lost in this struggle,” Nsuke said in his address.
He emphasized that MOSOP’s role in pushing for the ousting of Shell from Ogoni cannot be overlooked, asserting that it was their relentless advocacy and mobilization that forced the oil giant to exit in the 1990s. According to Nsuke, any effort to proceed with oil extraction without the inclusion of MOSOP would not only be an affront to the people of Ogoni but could also lead to an erosion of trust in the Federal Government’s commitment to a fair and inclusive process.
The MOSOP President noted that this exclusion contradicts President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s initial commitment to ensuring that all critical stakeholders, including MOSOP, are involved in discussions regarding oil exploration in the Niger Delta region. “President Tinubu has stated publicly that all voices should be heard. Yet here we are, being sidelined. This cannot be the spirit of democracy,” Nsuke remarked.
The Ogoni people have long voiced their opposition to unchecked oil extraction, citing environmental degradation and the disruption of their way of life. In the 1990s, the region witnessed severe human rights violations, including the execution of prominent Ogoni leader Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was at the forefront of the MOSOP struggle. Many Ogonis still harbor deep mistrust towards the government and oil companies due to the violent history tied to oil extraction.
Addressing the coordinators, Nsuke warned that any attempt to manipulate the process for personal gain would have serious consequences. He accused some individuals of “chasing after personal wealth” rather than acting in the best interests of the Ogoni people. “Desperation and greed have already begun to distort the process,” he stated. “The people of Ogoni cannot afford to have the wealth of our land seized by a few individuals while the masses remain marginalized.”
Despite the increasing tension, Nsuke urged the people of Ogoni to remain peaceful. “We must stand firm in our struggle, but we must also resist the temptation to take the law into our own hands. We are asking for fair treatment, not for conflict,” he said.
This call for calm is not without merit. In recent years, the Ogoni region has remained largely peaceful following the relative stability after the environmental and political turmoil of the 1990s. However, the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni, especially without adequate consultation, threatens to disrupt that peace. MOSOP’s leadership is fearful that the exclusion from the talks is the first sign of a greater neglect of Ogoni concerns.
Nsuke’s remarks underscore a rising unease among the grassroots in Ogoni, particularly as the government has pushed forward with plans for oil extraction. According to him, the approach of the Federal Government so far has ignored the historical, environmental, and socio-political dimensions of the oil debate in Ogoni.
“For decades, we have fought for a future where our children can live in peace, where the oil wealth is used to benefit all of us and not just a select few. We cannot allow anyone to take us backwards. We want development, not conflict,” he added.
Additionally, Nsuke stressed that it is the responsibility of the federal government to rectify the situation by ensuring MOSOP’s inclusion in the decision-making process. “Anyone attempting to push MOSOP out of the conversation is undermining the trust of the people. It is essential that President Tinubu intervenes to restore the process to one of fairness and respect,” he concluded.
The question now remains: will the Federal Government heed MOSOP’s concerns, or will Ogoni once again find itself on the brink of crisis? The absence of MOSOP from key discussions may indeed signal a turbulent future for the region, which has already borne the brunt of oil exploitation for decades. What is certain is that the road to peace in Ogoni now hinges on a careful balance of inclusivity, respect for historical grievances, and a commitment to sustainable development that benefits all stakeholders involved.
As tensions continue to mount, all eyes are on the federal government’s next move. Will they choose to listen to the voice of the people, or will the exclusion of MOSOP serve as a catalyst for renewed unrest in a region that has known too much suffering? The coming days will likely tell.
