The Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) has said it will not sign the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Government on resuming oil exploration in Ogoniland until credible congresses are held across the four Ogoni local government areas. The committee said the process was necessary to secure the consent and confidence of the people in any agreement.
The ODC also urged the Federal Government to restart abandoned confidence-building projects, particularly the Eleme section of the East-West Road. It said visible progress on previously agreed projects would help rebuild trust and demonstrate the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
The resolutions were reached during a meeting of 35 committee members in Port Harcourt, where they reviewed the proposed MOU, community consultations and efforts to resolve the longstanding Ogoni crisis. The committee’s convener, King Samuel L. A. Nnee, called for unity among members and commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to address the crisis.
Nnee also acknowledged the roles of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, and their teams in the engagement process. He expressed optimism that continued patience and cooperation would produce a lasting outcome.
The Judicial Vicar of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, Rev. Monsignor Pius Kii, said the committee supported efforts to resume oil exploration for the benefit of Nigeria and the Ogoni people. He added that members had agreed to harmonise the proposed MOU based on resolutions from their previous meeting.
Kii said the chairmen of the four Ogoni local government areas had made significant progress in sensitising and consulting their communities ahead of the congresses. Once completed, the harmonised agreement will be presented to the congresses for consideration.
However, committee member Prof. Innocent Barikor urged the Federal Government to restart the abandoned development projects, especially the Eleme road section, to strengthen public confidence.
The King of Eleme Land, King Philip Osaro Obele, reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to protecting the interests of all Ogoni communities through inclusive consultations. He stressed that the MOU would only be signed after credible congresses had been conducted in the four local government areas, organised by their elected council chairmen.
