Ogoni congress says no oil until ethnic group gets Rivers governorship seat

The National Congress of Ogoni People has tied the resumption of oil exploration in Ogoni to the ethnic group’s demand for an “Ogoni-born Rivers governor.”

The group, an umbrella body of the different factions of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), said at the end of a meeting in Bori, Khana Local Government Area on Saturday that oil production in Ogoni will not resume until the governorship of Rivers State is ceded to the Ogoni people.

Legborsi Pyagbara, former MOSOP President, reading a communique signed by Andah Wai Ogosu, Prince Bira, and other factional presidents, said the Federal Government must urgently address what they described as the political marginalization of Ogonis.

The congress acknowledged ongoing dialogue between the Federal Government and Ogoni stakeholders over plans to resume oil production in the area. They, however, expressed concern that discussions so far have focused primarily on oil resumption while neglecting the fundamental issues that gave rise to the Ogoni struggle.

Pyagbara said, while reading the communique, that the congress appreciates the Federal Government’s efforts at engagement but insists that any meaningful conversation on oil resumption must address the broader concerns of the Ogoni people.

“The dialogue process has so far been largely focused on oil resumption without deliberate attention to the core issues in the Ogoni crisis, including political exclusion and marginalisation. Without addressing these concerns, there cannot be a sustainable oil resumption in Ogoniland,” he said.

The former MOSOP president noted that the Congress specifically condemned what it described as the continued political exclusion of the Ogoni people, adding that political inclusion remains a central demand.

He stressed that Ogonis would only support political parties that present an Ogoni candidate for the governorship position in Rivers State.

The congress directed, as part of its resolutions, that Ogoni people mobilise support only for political parties and candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the political advancement of Ogoni sons and daughters.

The communique stressed that political parties seeking support from Ogoni communities must demonstrate practical commitment to producing qualified Ogoni candidates for key elective positions, including the governorship of Rivers State.”

The gathering further resolved to work to ensure that the Ogoni people secure greater representation in political leadership and decision-making at both state and federal levels.

Analysts say the Ogoni insistence on producing the next governor of Rivers State heavily favours Gabriel Pidomson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Dumale Kieghe of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).