Protests have thrown a major spanner in the works of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s effort to revive oil exploration in Ogoni, as a planned congress aimed at sensitising the people about the oil resumption process was brought to an abrupt halt over the weekend. The congress, intended to foster dialogue among stakeholders in the Ogoni community, was disrupted by furious protests that sent a strong message of opposition to the proposed resumption of oil production in the region.
The congress, which was set to take place at the Peace and Freedom Centre in Bori, the traditional headquarters of the Ogoni people in Rivers State, was organized by a group formed by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), led by Nuhu Ribadu. The gathering, designed to facilitate dialogue around the oil resumption, saw protestors wielding placards with messages such as “Ledum Mitee and Ribadu, Leave Ogoni Alone” and “Exonerate Ken Saro-Wiwa.” These slogans underscored the deep-seated resentment that many Ogoni people feel towards the government’s handling of the oil issue.
According to eyewitness accounts, the protests were intense and halted the congress proceedings, with protesters making it clear that they did not want any part in the oil resumption process without addressing their longstanding grievances. One protestor, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration, stating, “We are not going to allow the government to ignore our voices again. The blood of our martyrs is still fresh on the land.”
The protest represents a significant setback to President Tinubu’s attempts to address the environmental and economic challenges facing the Ogoni people, as part of his broader initiative to return oil production to the region. Tinubu’s administration has long expressed interest in revitalizing the Ogoni oil fields, but this goal has faced fierce resistance from a variety of Ogoni groups who demand more tangible benefits from oil production and accountability for past abuses.
Mixed Reactions: Communities Divided Over the Oil Resumption Plan
The tension surrounding the oil resumption plan has been growing for months. The government’s decision to resume oil exploration has sparked mixed reactions within the Ogoni community, with various groups voicing dissatisfaction over their perceived exclusion from the dialogue process.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), a prominent advocacy group in the region, has been particularly vocal about the exclusion of its representatives from the dialogue. MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, has criticized the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for sidelining the group, which has been at the forefront of the Ogoni people’s struggle for justice and environmental protection.
“Ribadu and the government have turned their backs on MOSOP after promising us a seat at the table,” Nsuke said in a statement. “The struggle of the Ogoni people has been championed by MOSOP, and we cannot sit idly by as outsiders dictate our future.”
MOSOP’s concerns revolve around the perceived lack of transparency in the oil resumption process, with the group warning that rushing into oil exploration without proper consultation could lead to increased tensions and unrest within Ogoni land. Nsuke further emphasized, “The Ogoni people are very conscious of their history and will not accept any process that undermines their right to self-determination.”
Ken Saro-Wiwa Exoneration Campaign Joins the Fray
Adding to the already charged atmosphere, a coalition of civil society groups, known as the Ken Saro-Wiwa Exoneration Campaign (KSWEC), has also raised its voice in opposition to the government’s oil resumption plan. The group, which includes members of the Ogoni diaspora in the United States and Canada, has called for the exoneration of the Ogoni Nine, a group of Ogoni activists, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, who were executed in 1995 by the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
The coalition argues that any meaningful dialogue on the resumption of oil production must first address the injustices suffered by the Ogoni people, particularly the wrongful execution of their leaders. “We demand justice, transparency, and the exoneration of the Ogoni Nine,” said a KSWEC spokesperson. “The pain of losing our leaders is still raw, and until this is addressed, no agreement on oil production will be legitimate in our eyes.”
Ogoni’s Demand for Environmental Justice
At the heart of the protests is a demand for environmental justice. The Ogoni people have long accused the Nigerian government and oil companies of neglecting the environmental degradation caused by decades of oil exploration in the region. For years, oil spills, gas flaring, and other forms of pollution have destroyed farmlands, poisoned water sources, and caused health issues for the Ogoni people.
These grievances were highlighted by protestors at the congress in Bori. “Oil exploration has ruined our environment, and we have suffered for too long,” one protestor said. “Before oil resumes, we demand compensation, proper clean-up of our land, and a seat at the table in all discussions regarding our future.”
President Tinubu’s Push for Development in Ogoni
The oil resumption process is a key part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to address the economic challenges in the Niger Delta and revive Nigeria’s oil industry. Tinubu has also shown his commitment to the development of Ogoni land, approving the establishment of a University of Environmental Technology in the region just last week. This move was seen by many as a step towards addressing the environmental concerns of the people.
However, despite the president’s efforts, it is clear that without full inclusion of the Ogoni people in the decision-making process, the road to oil exploration in the region will remain fraught with challenges.
