NDDC Summit: Group Raps MOSOP, Warns Against Ethnic Jingoism  

A group, the Niger Delta Coalition Vision (NDCV) which has been advocating for peace and development in the Niger Delta, has pilloried some leaders of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP for their alleged attacks on organisers of the recent Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit which was promoted by the NDDC.

The group said the call for the removal of the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, over what they called the refusal of the commission to invite MOSOP to the summit smacked of ethnic jingoism and an attempt to sit the truth on its head.

Although, Mr Fegalo Nsuke, known as MOSOP president by a section of Ogoni people has since countered the claims of the MOSOP faction, even as it said it was not true that MOSOP was not invited.

In fact, Nsuke said in a statement on Sunday that the summit came at a very good time as the outcome would help address biting development issues in the region.

The NDCV, in its statement which was endorsed by HRH Alaowei Amawari and five others said they could not believe the disparaging comments attributed to MOSOP was actually the handiwork of the Ogoni people.

They said the comments, if it was indeed made by MOSOP, was regrettable, reckless, and capable of inciting ethnic tension in the Niger Delta region. We question why MOSOP would permit such a statement, as the issue could have been addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement.

“We are deeply concerned about individuals and groups in the region resorting to issuing provocative press commentaries that could sow division. We do not need to remind MOSOP that the Ogoni matter is part of the broader Niger Delta context. We share a common goal of seeking justice in social, economic, environmental, and resource matters.

“Undoubtedly, the entire Niger Delta region has, over the years, demonstrated significant solidarity with the Ogoni cause, even though we are all victims of the devastation and degradation of our lands and livelihoods due to the activities of oil multinationals. None is a greater victim than the rest!

“If MOSOP thoughtlessly demands Ogbuku’s removal over a perceived lack of summit invitation, perhaps we should urge MOSOP to address the fact that no “barrel” of oil has been extracted from Ogoni land for about 30 years. Shouldn’t there be a resolution to this issue? If every oil-producing community in the Niger Delta halts production, won’t that impact funds for the NDDC, local governments, states, the FCT, and the country as a whole?

“NDCV cautions MOSOP and other ethnic and socio-cultural organizations in the Niger Delta against making expressions that could inflame ethnic tensions and undermine the existing peace in the region. We urge the public and the government to disregard MOSOP’s call. The current leadership of the NDDC, especially the managing director, has demonstrated commendable leadership and competence in running the commission, transforming its previous negative image.

In responding to the report attributed to MOSOP, Nsuke was quoted by Alex Akori, Secretary-General of MOSOP, to have said that the summit could not have come at any better time than now that the region needed all the supports to attract development to the region.

Nsuke said: “We have appreciated the decision of Mr. President to prioritise the issue bothering on the Niger Delta development and we in Ogoni are so blessed with fertile arable land, irrespective of the environmental pollution by oil majors, good enough for rice, tomoato, onion farming among others.

“However, we will expect greater transparency and accountability in the affairs of the NDDC to ensure that its impact can be more strongly felt in the region.

“MOSOP is ready to partner with the NDDC under the leadership of the current MD, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku to see Ogoniland as veritable location to invest resources in the agriculture sector to boost agro-farming for food security not just in the Niger Delta region, but Nigeria as a whole.

“We as ethnic nationality will want to state our strong resolve to partner with the Federal Government in particular and the NDDC MD, in particular in the interest of our people.

“We call for a new dawn to encourage Cooperation between the people and the NDDC despite the misunderstandings that have emanated over the handling of the east/west road.

“MOSOP will want to see a speedy resolution of all issues surrounding the East-West Road project to enable contractors return to site and complete the project.

“We will work with the present management of the NDDC and on that note, we want to express confidence that the NDDC will willingly cooperate with our initiatives to speed up the completion of the East-West Road project.

“We also want to use this opportunity to call on Mr. President to ensure that the activities of HYPREP in the clean-up of Ogoni are further strengthened.