Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The long-awaited resumption of oil production in Ogoniland is facing fresh uncertainty as leaders of the Ogoni people have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that political interference threatens a process hailed as critical for Nigeria’s energy security and economic recovery.
The petition, written by the Conscience of Ogoni People, COOP, alleged that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike is attempting to derail the ongoing Federal Government-Ogoni dialogue, which is aimed at resolving decades-long disputes over environmental destruction, social injustice, and halted oil operations on OML 11.
The COOP letter, signed by its leader, Chief Gani Topba, described the dialogue as “the most sincere, inclusive, and structured effort ever to achieve lasting peace, environmental remediation, economic reintegration, and safe resumption of oil production” in the Niger Delta.
“Ogoni people are tired of conflict, manipulation, and being used as pawns in political and economic struggles,” said Chief Topba. “For the first time in many years, there is genuine hope that justice, peace, and development may finally come to our land.”
The petition alleges that Wike, unhappy with the cooperation of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the NSA-led dialogue, has instructed political allies and local government officials in Ogoniland to disrupt the process.
COOP warned that these actions, if left unchecked, could ignite violence, destabilize Rivers State, and derail oil resumption.
The Ogoni leaders emphasized the economic stakes, noting that reopening OML 11 could significantly boost national revenue, foreign exchange earnings, employment, and energy security.
They urged President Tinubu to mandate security agencies to safeguard the dialogue and prevent any attempts to undermine national interest for personal gain.
The petition is copied to the Senate President and other government officials, security chiefs, former heads of state, international organizations, and diplomatic missions, signaling the high level of national and global attention on Ogoni peace and oil production.
“Your Excellency’s decisive intervention at this critical moment will not only safeguard peace in Ogoniland but reaffirm the authority of the Nigerian State and your commitment to justice, national unity, and economic recovery,” the petition concluded.
The outcome of the ongoing Ogoni dialogue is pivotal not only for the Ogoni people but also for Nigeria’s ambition to revive offshore oil production, attract foreign investment, and stabilize the Niger Delta region.
Efforts to reach the spokesman of the FCT Minister, Mr Lere Olayinka, has proved abortive, as calls and texts sent to his phone were neither answered nor returned.
