Port Harcourt, Nigeria – The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Ogoni Liberation Initiative (OLI) have strongly criticized the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over his recent remarks regarding the resumption of oil production in Ogoni. The groups described Ribadu’s comments as provocative, insensitive, and capable of derailing the fragile peace and healing process ongoing in the region.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with Ogoni youths in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ribadu reportedly suggested that oil production would soon resume in Ogoni. The comments were swiftly condemned by MOSOP President, Fegalo Nsuke, who said they do not reflect the sentiments and resolutions of the Ogoni people, particularly those expressed during the Ogoni Congress on November 30, 2024, and the Ogoni National Assembly on January 4, 2025.
In a statement signed by MOSOP Secretary-General, Alex Akori, and released to the media on June 1, 2025, the group reminded the public that the November 2024 Congress had authorized MOSOP to engage the federal government on negotiations surrounding Ogoni’s oil and gas resources. However, the resolutions of January 2025 unequivocally rejected any form of forceful or unilateral resumption of oil production in Ogoniland.
“The NSA’s comments were deeply unfortunate and laced with insensitivity,” said Nsuke. “They undermine five years of community dialogue, sensitization, and peacebuilding efforts by MOSOP aimed at resolving the Ogoni oil crisis.”
Nsuke warned that the federal government’s recent actions were reminiscent of the 1993 crisis that engulfed Ogoniland, which led to military repression, mass killings, and destruction of communities.
“We are fast being driven back to the dark days of 1993 because the drivers of this new push for oil resumption are desperate and refusing to listen,” Nsuke added.
He stressed that the issue of oil production in Ogoni is not just about economic interests but is deeply rooted in decades of injustice, environmental degradation, and human rights violations.
“The Ogoni people have lost over 4,000 lives in this struggle, including the brutal execution of the Ogoni 9 in 1995. More than 30 villages were destroyed. Our land remains polluted, and many still lack access to clean water,” Nsuke stated.
He urged the NSA to demonstrate empathy, respect the people’s position, and pursue dialogue rather than authoritarian declarations.
“This is not about the oil in Adamawa. It’s about Ogoni land — and the Ogoni people must not be provoked into another round of crisis,” Nsuke emphasized.
MOSOP and the Ogoni Liberation Initiative maintained that they are not opposed to engagement or development but insist that justice, environmental cleanup, and compensation must precede any plans to resume oil operations in Ogoni.
“We have presented peaceful and realistic proposals to the federal government, and we expect these to be considered. Deploying the full weight of the state without addressing the underlying grievances will only worsen the crisis,” Nsuke warned.
The groups concluded by calling on the federal government to commit to genuine dialogue and justice for the Ogoni people, warning that any attempt to forcefully restart oil production without addressing historical injustices would be strongly resisted.
Signed:
Alex Akori
Secretary-General, MOSOP
June 1, 2025
